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responsible for the funding of this project. Smaller additional capital projects included installing concrete picnic pads, and a complete renovation of the massive 80 year old park pavilion at Potawatomi Park. Park crews replaced the dugouts at Kennedy Park, installed water spray parks at La Salle and Coquillard Parks, built a bridge over the pond on hole number 12 at Elbel Golf Course, installed a larger outdoor pavilion at O'Brien Park, and completed numerous landscaping upgrades at the O'Brien Recreation Center. While our maintenance staff were doing their repairs and upgrades, the park and recreation programmers were administering their own list of activities. Our nation's current health care crisis has impacted every city in the United States. Local parks and recreation agencies are now being called upon to use they- trained programmers and facilities to assist communities with the growing health problem of obesity. The SBPRD have been addressing our community health and wellness issues with a variety of programs and activities. Our efforts with the U. S. National h~stitute of Health, sponsors of the "We Can" program, have positively influenced hundreds of local youths and adults to the benefits of a healthier life style. South Bend was oue of only sixteen cities in the U. S. selected to participate in the "We Can" program. Currently, many cities in the U. S. have and will be using South Bend's program to model the own community programs. In addition to the "We Can" program, the SBPRD has spearheaded anew youth wellness program called `Weight Winners". Our partnership's with local physicians and health care agencies have provided us with a solid background of resources and has opened the door to many heath initiatives av°ailable though the "Weight Winners" program for kids. Do to the recent expansion of the O'Brien Fitness Center, our fitness programs have grown dramatically in size and in quality. Cardio, strength training, and overall fitness goals are a day to day reality at the new fitness center. As part of the City of South Bend's new employee wellness plan, the O'Brien Fitness Center plays an integral part with the fitness training and reconunended life style improvements to help employees live a healthier and more productive life. Programs for youth and area adults were not just limited to fitness and nutrition. The Potawatomi Zoo's educational outreach programs were attended by no less than 12,863 people. 2~0o camps, biological and environmental studies, zoologist programs, and many other exciting activities have opened up the minds of many as to the various types of species we share the planet with. Our programs will vary in nature, but all are attended due to the wide array of leisure interest in our community. Attendance for special events, youth classes, leagues and camps, teen programs, adult sports and fitness, recreation centers, aquatics, skate park, ice rink, and park rentals total 503,496 participants! !Park attendance at other facilities including Coveleski Stadium, E1bel,Erskine and Studerbaker Golf Courses, the East Race Waterway, and Potawatomi Zoo total another 420,000 people. The SBPRD Trails, neighborhood parks, and general open space environment bring in thousands of local and area residents through out the year. Each year the SBPRD impact the lives of many in and out of our community. We are proud of the programs and facilities we offer in South Bend. More importantly, we are -7-