By Kathy Chouteau
The first of many “Thrive Thursdays/Health 4 All” events arrived at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in Richmond last night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and was aflutter with festivities and activities.
The cooperative brainchild of Richmond City Councilmember Doria Robinson and Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, the park events offer ample opportunities for health and wellness on Thursdays until Labor Day, when it will be reassessed, per Edgar Rosales of the supervisor’s office.
Thursday night’s kickoff saw the park come alive with people, activities and numerous booths with helpful resources for the community, including “Walk with a Doc” where bilingual doctor Lisa Rodelo, M.D., and two colleagues from Contra Costa Health, answered questions and provided health advice.
Event activities such as Zumba, soccer, coloring, bike repair, free vegetables from Urban Tilth, vendor giveaways, bubble popping and so much more set the stage for a summer evening of free fun at the park. Partners included Contra Costa Health Services, YES Nature to Neighborhoods, Rich City Rides, Urban Tilth, Moving Forward, LifeLong Medical and Richmond Sol. And Mayor of Richmond Eduardo Martinez also came out to enjoy the evening.
Referencing the plethora of park activities—including soccer games and people walking around the park’s track—Councilmember Robinson said, “This is what happens when you invest in infrastructure—you get this beautiful transformation of a park that was really dead to a park that is super lively.”
She said this series of events is about focusing on all the assets we have in the community and everything that is helping people become healthier. It’s “so people can take back their health,” she said.
For more info about Thrive Thursdays, call (510) 942-2222 or click here.
