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Active in the Community: MNCPPC mixes fitness and fun

4 Digs

A football game is in progress, dozens of children are running around, and a fitness instructor is on the premises. No, this is not a gym class, not even a sports team practice, just a bunch of Prince George’s County residents who decided to come out and play.

The Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission hosted its ninth and final Come Out and Play event of 2011, on June 27 at Kentland Neighborhood Park. The evening’s attractions, which included a DJ, face painting, sports, games and free-to-rent roller skates, was a part of MNCPPC’s efforts to get families involved in their communities and active in their local outdoor parks.

“I think it’s a real good idea,” said 12-year-old Jerrien Roberts, “It encourages more people to come outside instead of staying inside and watching TV.”

While many features of Come Out and Play are most attractive to children and teens, parents are equally able to get involved, some even strapping on a larger pair of skates and rolling around with the kids. More still get into the festivities by way of the fitness and dance demonstrations that take place in the parks along with everything else.

Kimberly James, the instructor for these demonstrations, said that while it is mostly parents who join the fitness segment, the activity is family-friendly.

“At one of the events a whole family joined in, from the grandma and grandpa down to the itty bitty ones,” said James, who brought her own sons to the park on June 27, when the activity was Caribbean Dance.

“It’s for all levels,” she said, “and it’s not like we’re out doing crunches in the grass. It’s dancing so it’s fun.”