By Jennifer Jezyk
Atlantans are gearing up for spring with the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership’s (ABLP) Free Fitness on the Atlanta BeltLine pilot program. Hundreds already have participated in classes located at parks and trails around the Atlanta BeltLine. With warmer weather, springtime promises even more fitness and fun opportunities to get out and get moving on the Atlanta BeltLine. The free programs are funded in part through a grant from the Coca-Cola Company and can be reserved at BeltLine.org/fitsignup.
“We have received a tremendous response from the community and individuals eager to engage in these fitness activities. We have regular attendees, multi-generational families, first-timers and folks of all ages and walks of life participating in fitness classes and programs, which is exactly what we set out to accomplish,” said ABLP Program Director Rob Brawner. “We are excited to see the tangible impact these programs are having in the community.”
Free fitness classes being offered include:
- Aerobics with Young at Heart Fitness at Historic Fourth Ward Park, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.
- Aerobics with Young at Heart Fitness at D.H. Stanton Park, Saturdays, 10 a.m.
- FitWit “Day without Shoes” at Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark, 6:30 p.m. on April 29
- Intro to FitWit at Gordon White Park, 9 a.m. on Saturdays (except April 26)
- Basic Mountain Biking with REI at Gordon White Park, 10 a.m. on April 27, May 24, June 28
- Trail yoga with REI at Washington Park, Sundays, 1 p.m.
- Trail yoga with REI at Piedmont Park, Mondays, 5:30 p.m.
- How to Ride a Bike with REI: Adults at Washington Park, 2 p.m. on May 4, June 1
- How to Ride a Bike with REI : Kids at Washington Park, 2 p.m. on May 11, June 9
- Sunrise Hike with REI at Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark, 6 a.m. on May 5, June 2
- Sunset Hike with REI starting at Washington Park, 7:30 p.m. on May 2, June 6
- Group Run with REI at Tanyard Creek Park, 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 19
- Group Run with REI at Gordon White Park, 9 a.m. on May 17 and June 21
- Nutrition Walks with Open Hand at Piedmont Park, Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.
- Nutrition Walks with Open Hand at Washington Park, Thursdays, 7:30 a.m.
- Nutrition Walks with Open Hand at Eastside Trail Extension, Thursdays, 5:30 p.m.
- Walk with a Doc with Healing Community Center at Lionel Hampton Trail, 9 a.m. May 3, June 7
- Walk and Talk with a Piedmont Doc at Eastside Trail at Irwin St., 8:30 a.m. April 26, May 24, June 28
In addition to these free fitness activities, the Atlanta BeltLine Running Series offers free monthly Run Clubs, as well as a series of 5K, 8K and 10K events that benefit the ABLP. Information on the Atlanta BeltLine Running Series is available at BeltLine.org/Run. The Atlanta BeltLine Northside 5K is scheduled for Saturday, April 26 beginning at 8 a.m., followed by the 1K Youth Fun Run, Police and Fire Department Challenge, and Atlanta BeltLine Soccer Street Cup.
The Atlanta BeltLine Active Lifestyle Competition encourages and rewards individuals for their fitness accomplishments. By participating in fitness activities around the Atlanta BeltLine and other partners, individuals earn points redeemable for exciting prizes provided by some of Atlanta’s favorite restaurants, stores and attractions. The 2014 Active Lifestyle Competition features a grand prize for the individual scoring the most points, including an experience package at Serenbe and a one-year membership to FitWit.
At the heels of the highly successful Play Day on the Atlanta BeltLine in March, the ABLP is again partnering with Atlanta ContactPoint as well as the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Sport and Social Club, Atlanta Jazz Fest and many more local organizations for a full array of sports, fitness, arts, and music on May 17, 2014.
Atlanta BeltLine Walking Tours invite fans to enjoy fresh air, new city views, fascinating Atlanta history, and every season of horticulture interest! The walking tour takes approximately 1.5 hours and begins from an easily accessible trailhead in the Inman Park neighborhood at 10 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Each docent prepares unique tours to spotlight the native trees, architectural interests, key historical stories, and much more. These free walking tours are offered all year.
The ABLP and Atlanta Bicycle Coalition offer free, guided bike tours of the Atlanta BeltLine on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. Enjoy the ride while you learn about the Atlanta BeltLine vision, history, and updates on project planning, implementation and development. Bike tours include rest stops highlighting assets and points of interest along the Atlanta BeltLine. Staff with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition will lead the rides, and each group will have a ride sweep to help with any unexpected mechanical difficulties. Tour reservations are available at BeltLine.org/Tours.
The Atlanta BeltLine is the most comprehensive transportation and economic development effort ever undertaken in the City of Atlanta and among the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs currently underway in the United States. The Atlanta BeltLine is a sustainable redevelopment project that will provide a network of public parks, multi-use trails and transit along a historic 22-mile railroad corridor circling downtown and connecting many neighborhoods directly to each other. Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) is the entity tasked with planning and executing the implementation of the Atlanta BeltLine in partnership with other public and private organizations, including City of Atlanta departments.
The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership (ABLP) is a non-profit organization committed to raising funds from private and philanthropic sources to support the Atlanta BeltLine, working with the community and partners to raise general awareness and support, and serving as a catalyst to mobilize resources to achieve the positive social impacts of the Atlanta BeltLine vision. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, please visit BeltLine.org.
