A big part of the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership’s mission is empowering residents of Atlanta BeltLine neighborhoods by working with partners in the areas of health, housing and economic opportunity. For our health initiative, we focus on promoting healthy, active lifestyles and how those lifestyles can connect directly with Atlanta BeltLine parks and trails.
Last Saturday afternoon at Washington Park in southwest Atlanta, we saw how promoting a healthy lifestyle can be fun, too. The Partnership’s first major event of 2017 – the Washington Park Jamboree – brought healthy food options, music, and free, family-focused activities to this historic park located steps away from the northern end of the under-construction Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail. When the trail opens to the public later this year, it will be the single longest Atlanta BeltLine trail segment to open yet.
Washington Park Jamboree is all about family. And, of course, everyone was thrilled to be so close to the new Westside Trail (below, where it ties into the existing Lionel Hampton Trail) set to open to the public later this year.
Saturday’s Jamboree was the official kick-off of the 2017 Atlanta BeltLine Partnership free fitness class series and featured a variety of live fitness demonstrations led by professional instructors. Atlanta BeltLine fitness ambassador Madison James was on hand to interact with attendees, as were members of the Atlanta Dream WNBA team.
Atlanta BeltLine Partnership fitness instructor Leslie Mangum (top image) and Zumba Fit and Fine led popular free fitness classes for attendees.
Members of the Atlanta Dream were on hand to say hi to attendees. They’re pictured here with ABP Executive Director Rob Brawner (back row, 2nd from left), ABP bus tour guide coordinator and Jamboree MC Sundiata Rush (to Rob’s right) and Atlanta BeltLine fitness ambassador Madison James (middle row right, wearing cap).
Clinical staff from Kaiser Permanente, the Healthy Heart Coalition, and the Diabetes Association of Atlanta were on hand to provide free onsite screenings and checkups. Representatives from the Atlanta Community Food Bank and the Community Farmers Market introduced attendees to healthy eating options from local growers.
The Kaiser Permanente tent and mobile medical vehicle were popular stops for Jamboree attendees.
Attendees had access to a variety of healthy eating options.
The first Atlanta BeltLine Play Day of the year rounded out a full afternoon of active fun for all age groups, with a variety of sports and healthy activities led by trained coaches. Play Days are delivered through our partnership with Atlanta ContactPoint, a nonprofit that engages children and adults through the power of play. The Partnership will host a second 2017 Play Day in October at Boulevard Crossing Park.
Atlanta ContactPoint coaches and instructors provided attendees access to a variety of sports activities.
As they are for most Atlanta BeltLine events, officers from the Atlanta Police Department’s PATH Force were on hand Saturday, not only keeping attendees safe but interacting with residents – especially youth – as part of good, community-based policing. In recognition of this important aspect of their work, ABP Executive Director Rob Brawner presented Sgt. Corey Andry of the PATH Force with a framed collage of photos from past events showing officers engaging in a positive way with young residents.
Atlanta BeltLine Partnership Executive Director Rob Brawner presents a framed collage of images to Atlanta Police Department PATH Force Sgt. Corey Andry, recognizing the PATH Force for its commitment to community-based policing.
PATH Force officers not only help ensure safety for attendees, but they engage with residents – especially youth – in a variety of ways.
Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen stopped by to help one Jamboree attendee with her bicycle skills.
We had awesome music at Jamboree!
We had free face painting at Jamboree, too!
We LOVE how some people expressed their joy about being at Washington Park Jamboree!
As with most of our events, volunteers – more than 50 of them in this case – played a key role in the success of Washington Park Jamboree. Our awesome volunteers – provided through our partnership with Hands On Atlanta – were indispensable during set up and take down and helped make sure all attendees had a good time during the event.
Partnership Program Manager Alice Weston briefs volunteers before the event. Volunteers were provided through ABP’s partnership with Hands On Atlanta.
You can view an album of images from our Jamboree here.
The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership is grateful to the following generous sponsors for their support of this year’s Washington Park Jamboree: NexGard® (afoxolaner) Chewables, CLIF Bar & Company/CLIF Kids, Trees Atlanta and Walmart. The Presenting Sponsor of the Partnership’s free fitness class series is Kaiser Permanente. Additional sponsors include Ponce City Market, WellStar Atlanta Medical Center, Healthways, Whole Foods, and Mountain High Outfitters.
Partnership spokes-pooch June says we love our sponsors – especially when one of them makes a product that keeps dogs healthy!
