07/09/10 - Mayor's Park Program Gets Better Every Year
Operation 'Play in the Park'
Campaign Utilizing 12 City-Wide Parks
Roefaro and Gillibrand tout campaign importance, PSA
Gillibrand promises 'fight in congress' for healthy food access
July 8, 2010 – (Utica, NY) – Last year, Utica Mayor David Roefaro made some intense changes to the youth bureau. He redefined the bureau's summer focus by providing youth with sports camp activities.
This year, Roefaro has expanded on those changes, making the
parks even more accessible while adding health and wellness
education into the summer program mix.
"Today, I am re-launching, and building upon a popular campaign that provides Utica's youth with something to do, something to learn about, and something to get them thinking about a healthy lifestyle," the mayor said. "This summer's "Operation Play in the Park" will keep kids off the sofa, off the chips and soda, but on the playgrounds.
"Operation 'Play in the Park' is in its second year because it worked so
well last year. I'm hoping children leave these parks everyday
knowing that exercising and eating healthy is fun," Roefaro added.
This summer, traveling exercise sport camps are being offered in
Football, Lacrosse, Running, Soccer, and Baseball, some
with actual professionals doing the teaching and coaching.
The Mayor also added that the city's golf, tennis, swimming, and
speed camps have attracted more participants than ever
before, and the mayor wants those numbers to keep increasing,
along with awareness as to why it's important to play outside
and eat right.
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand agrees, "The expansion of 'Operation Play in
the Park' is a clear example of a program that works, providing children
with activities and healthy foods during summer break," said
Senator Gillibrand. "Not only do we need to ensure this program
can expand, but we must replicate it in other communities.
We must pursue an aggressive strategy to tackle childhood obesity.
If our children are going to have the opportunity to reach their
potential, they need a healthy start. I will fight in Congress to
make sure New York students have access to fresh fruits and vegetables."
To reinforce the efforts of Operation 'Play in the Park',
Gillibrand joined Roefaro to announce the release of
a new television commercial aimed at sparking interest
in parents and involvement by Utica's youth. The commercial
begins airing today and outlines the options area kids have when
it comes to playing outside.
Roefaro and Gillibrand have also contributed some healthy snacks
that will be distributed across the city's parks. "Snacks they can
reasonably ask their parents to purchase at home," the mayor
said. "Snacks that allow them to eat something healthy during
a hunger that will usually settle for anything, junk food," the mayor
