Andrea Nasser, Health Information Specialist, County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency
The year 2020 marks the 10th Anniversary of the Live Well San Diego vision. To commemorate this historic occasion, County of San Diego staff and community partners are working together to plan a series of activities and communications throughout the year to bring awareness to the vision’s progress and promote the achievements that partners have accomplished together.
The 10-year Anniversary kicked-off on January 4, 2020 with the grand opening of the County’s new Sweetwater Bike Park and continued into the evening at the San Diego Gulls ice hockey game where the Gulls became a new Live Well San Diego Recognized Partner.
The highly anticipated grand opening of the Sweetwater Bike Park in Bonita brought together several hundred people from across the county, from as far away as Oceanside, to view and try out the new bike tracks and trails. The opening included demonstrations by professional bike riders who performed tricks throughout the park and a unique ribbon cutting with professional BMX rider Joey Cordova riding his bike through a large red paper ribbon.
The bike park is a dirt-based course serving riders of different skills levels with its different size jump lines, tracks and installations. The park also offers a children’s area to help younger riders practice the course but at a smaller scale. It was a popular activity with the kids who enthusiastically showed up in their bike and riding gear to give it a try. Several attendees expressed how excited they were about the park’s completion, as it has been over a decade in the making.
The park will teach visitors about cycling as a healthy means of recreation and transportation and will encourage youth to get involved in healthy outdoor pursuits – all in support of the Live Well San Diego vision.
“This is the first in a series of events we’re holding this year to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Live Well San Diego,” shared San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox.
“The anniversary celebration will continue all year with fitness challenges, fun runs and other great events and so we’re excited that this is the official kick off - what can be healthier than taking your bike out for a spin.”
The 10th Anniversary kick-off continued into the evening with a celebratory hockey game between the San Diego Gulls and the Bakersfield Condors. During the game, the Gulls became the newest Live Well San Diego partner, bringing the total number of recognized partner organizations to 479. The Gulls were presented with a proclamation from the County Board of Supervisors recognizing the organization’s commitment to advancing the Live Well San Diego vision.
“Athletes and sports teams understand the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and set a great example for all of us,” shared San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher. “The hard work and dedication the Gulls make daily to Live Well San Diego should be an inspiration to us all. It’s great to have them on the Live Well team!”
The recognition event aligned with the Gulls’ Community Night, a charitable program that encourages attendees to give $5 Gulls Bucks to one of 10 local nonprofit organizations to help distribute $35,000 in San Diego Gulls Foundation funds.
The team’s charitable foundation facilitates and supports programs that produce positive change for children and families throughout San Diego by providing educational opportunities, broadening access to the sport of hockey and addressing the health and wellness needs of our community.
The 10th anniversary kickoff events were the first of many planned for the coming months. The next event will be Love Your Heart on Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14. For more information on all upcoming events, visit the Live Well San Diego 10th Anniversary website.
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