County to Celebrate Playground Improvements and Bicycle Month at Westgate Park and Recreation Center

LAKE WORTH, Fla. - Feb. 22, 2016 - PRLog -- Palm Beach County Commissioner Priscilla Taylor and county officials will join with Westgate residents on Saturday, March 19 to celebrate the grand reopening of the playground at Westgate Park and Recreation Center, 3691 Oswego Avenue in West Palm Beach. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m., preceded by a community Bike Rodeo.

The renovation was funded in part by a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant, a program administered by the Palm Beach County Department of Economic Sustainability. The playground features areas for children ages 2-5 and 5-12, including safety playground grass and engineered mulch for wheelchair accessibility, and 6-foot concrete walkways connected to every entrance. Included are tot swings and belt swings for older children and an Omnispin for ages 2-12 which can accommodate various physical capabilities.

The renovation also includes a new 10-piece fitness zone with a view of the playground so families can play and get fit together. Designed to look like products one might find in a professional health club, the exercise equipment invites adults of all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels to work out at no cost. The outdoor garden was also expanded to include a U-shaped permanent concrete planter accessible from all sides.

"Providing for youth enrichment and facilitating health and wellness opportunities are core services of our Parks and Recreation Department," said Commissioner Taylor. "The improvements at Westgate Park and Recreation Center provide opportunities for families to play, learn, and grow healthy and happy together."

The Bike Rodeo will begin at 10:00 a.m. and is a free family event that will feature a green market, bike inspections, bike safety presentations and education, bike obstacle course, health screenings, and a free bike raffle courtesy of Jack the Bike Man. The event is one of many being held in celebration of Florida Bicycle Month and to promote the Palm Beach Commuter Challenge, a countywide initiative between the Palm Beach MPO, SFRTA, Palm Tran, FDOT, Sky Bike, Parks and Recreation and others to encourage people that work or live in Palm Beach County to walk, bike, take transit, and carpool to and from work throughout the month of March. Participants in the Commuter Challenge will sign up and create teams to track their miles commuted from March 1-31 at www.PBCommuterChallenge.org and prizes will be awarded during a culminating open streets event planned for April 2.

Westgate Park and Recreation Center is operated by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department. The department operates more than 80 regional, district, community, beach, and neighborhood parks, spanning several thousand acres. Visit www.pbcparks.com to learn about more opportunities for healthy, happy living.