West Sacramento Playground Equipment Geared Toward Fighting Childhood Obesity
WEST SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — West Sacramento is one of many cities across the country modifying its playground designs to be more fitness-minded.
For Diego and Johnathan Garcia, the Bryte Park playground doesn't mean burning calories on your typical swing and slide set. They're bouncing between crayon-colored training equipment with a full-body workout in mind.
"It's good for you," Diego said. "Because then when you grow up you can be healthy."
For Nadia Yanez, keeping her 4-year-old son Gabriel active is a weekly ritual that's paying off.
"Running around and being able to climb on that one swing where it just swings side-to-side and to have the agility to hold on and actually have that grip," she said.
The park is part of a growing trend in playground design aimed at curbing childhood obesity by using equipment that promotes aerobic, muscle and strength activity.
"Kids are going to have the opportunity to work just about every major muscle group in their bodies," said parks superintendent Andre Pichly.
From angled rock walls to help with upper- and lower-body strength to bridges, monkey bars and specialized swings with stability features to work your core.
The goal is to make a dent in childhood obesity. The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention says one in three American children are obese, a number that's more than doubled in the last 30 years.
"Probably our biggest competitor is the sofa, the TV and any screens that are out there. So we simply want to get kids out and be active," Pichly said.
Southport Gateway Park and Jerome D. Barry Park also have some of the new equipment installed. Bridgeway Lakes Park is scheduled to be remodeled with some of the new equipment. It's expected to be finished by next spring.