Greetings friends of Live Well Ferguson!

April is here, and with April comes Spring activities! Time to break out of hibernation and get outside and get active. There are plenty of great programs and events to take part in around town. If you enjoy running and are training for the Ferguson Twilight 5K/10K, consider joining the Couch to 5K program on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. If fresh food is your thing, come by the Ferguson Farmers Market on April 19. Looking for a place to play? Come by Forestwood Park and try out the playground, basketball hoops, tennis courts, or walking track. Whatever your interests are, there is something for everybody in Ferguson. Get outside and take advantage of your surroundings!

Live active! Live healthy! Live well!
Live Well Ferguson

Upcoming Events

• April 1—Register for Ferguson Recreation Fitness Classes
• April 2—Live Well Ferguson Taskforce Meeting
• April 5—Run with Ferguson Running Club
• April 5—10-10-10 Bike Ride with Ferguson Bicycle Shop
• April 12—Jeske Park Neighborhood Association Clean Up Day
• April 12—Run with Ferguson Running Club
• April 12—10-10-10 Bike Ride with Ferguson Bicycle Shop
• April 12—Ferguson Bicycle Shop 3rd Anniversary Celebration
• April 14—Ferguson Earn-A-Bike Program session begins
• April 15—Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
• April 19—Run with Ferguson Running Club
• April 19—Winter Ferguson Farmers Market/The Vine Market at St. Stephen’s
• April 19—10-10-10 Bike Ride with Ferguson Bicycle Shop
• April 19—Go Ape! Tree Top Adventure Teen Trip with Ferguson Recreation
• April 20—Run with Ferguson Running Club
• April 20—Registration fees increase for the 4th Annual Ferguson Twilight 5K/10K
• April 21—Softball begins with Ferguson Recreation
• April 25—Ferguson Recreation Popcorn Ball Record Setting
• April 26—Run with Ferguson Running Club
• April 26—10-10-10 Bike Ride with Ferguson Bicycle Shop

FREE Introduction to Restoration Agriculture with Mark Shepard

Have you heard the term permaculture and wondered what it's all about? Come and listen to Mark Shepard, author of the best selling book, Restoration Agriculture. This FREE introduction to farm-scale permaculture from an internationally renowned permaculturist farmer will have you inspired and ready to plant perennial crops on your land! This event is on Friday, April 25, from 7-9:00pm at the SLU Allied Health Center. To register for the full weekend Permaculture Intensive visit EarthDance here: http://www.earthdancefarms.org/markshepard

Ferguson Ultimate Frisbee Team

Come join the Ferguson Ultimate Frisbee team! All adults ages 21+ are invited to participate in the fastest sport on land. The team will meet every Wednesday starting May 7 from 6:30-7:30 pm at Forestwood Park to play pick up games. The location is subject to change based on availability. Weekend games will begin on Saturdays starting June 7. For more information contact the Ferguson Recreation office at (314) 521-4661.

Popcorn Ball State Record - II

Come be a part of history, again! This project is a Playful City USA Fun Day for all Ferguson residents, including the Ferguson Youth Initiative, Neighborhood Associations, Clubs, Businesses, Staff, and more. This volunteer group will attempt to beat the state record set at last year’s event. In addition to creating the Popcorn Ball the event will include: Fun activities such as guess the kernels, face painting, hula-hoops, mural, and more. The “Popcorn Ball Fun Day” will conclude with a City Walk Concert. Additional sponsors are welcome. This event will be on Friday, April 25 from 4 p.m - 9 p.m. at Plaza at 501, with the concert starting at 7:00 p.m. For more information contact the Ferguson Recreation office at (314) 521-4661.

Earn-A-Bike

We need more youth to sign up! This free program teaches young people basic bicycle maintenance and safe riding skills, while they also learn responsibility and teamwork. Every young person who completes the program earns a free bike, helmet, lock, and light! The next 6-week session starts Monday, April 14. Please let any young people or families who might be interested know about this program. Applications are available at the Ferguson Bicycle Shop or online at http://fyifergyouth.org/programs/earn-a-bike-program-in-ferguson/

Live Active: Playground Fitness

While adults are banned from some playgrounds unless accompanied by a child, other playgrounds welcome adults with fitness equipment designed specifically for those who are only children at heart. Outdoor play spaces with playground equipment that is designed to help adults exercise is growing more popular in many places all over the world. These outdoor play spaces make physical activity fun and accessible so that it is easier for adults to make it part of their daily routine and more exciting than going to a gym. At our very own Forestwood Park in Ferguson, you will find both a playground for children and fitness equipment for adults. Other outdoor play spaces in Forestwood Park include softball and kickball fields, tennis courts, a track, soccer fields and a basketball court.

Live Healthy: Good Eating in Season

Broccoli is one of the most nutrient-rich vegetables. This member of the cabbage family contains Vitamin C, Vitamin A, folic acid, calcium, protein and fiber. The calcium can help control high blood pressure and prevent colon cancer. The vitamins in broccoli reduce the risk of cataracts, heart disease and several cancers. Avoid overcooking broccoli which can cause the vegetable to lose its nutrients. Eating raw or steaming broccoli for two to four minutes is the best way to preserve the nutritional value.

Live Well: Healthy Hero John Cross

Healthy Hero and long time Ferguson resident, John Cross, currently leads the Ferguson Running Club Saturday morning runs.

Live Well Ferguson: What are your routines for staying physically active?

John: My routine for staying active is to ride my bike to work as often as possible and walk to/from downtown Ferguson for my errands. When possible, if I miss a day of riding my bike to work, I will try to get a run in at the UMSL gym. I like running more than any other exercise, but I am recovering from a surgery at the moment. Taking walks or going for hikes with my wife are also great ways to stay active.

LWF: How did you develop your healthy habits?

John: I hate to sound so old school, but I developed my habit of staying active during my childhood in Ferguson. My friends and I were always outside playing: tag, catch, hot box, climbing trees, basketball, kick the can, riding bikes everywhere, swimming, walking all over town and running cross country in junior high (sorry, middle school now) and high school. I have just never let it go. Hopefully, I never will.

LWF: What is your advice to someone struggling to keep a healthy lifestyle?

John: For someone who isn't active already, I recommend they figure out what activity they most want to do. Once they have done that, they should try to fit it into their regular schedules. If it doesn't work at a certain time, try another day/time. If it doesn't work there, try a different day/time. Don't give up until you find the right fit for yourself and once you do find the fit, stick with it for a while. Make it your only priority for that day/time. When others ask you to miss it, invite them to join you; not the other way around. Once you have committed to it, you won't leave it and you will feel better about yourself because of it.

Do you know a healthy hero?
Nominate a Live Well Ferguson Healthy Hero by sending an email to recreation@fergusoncity.com explaining in 200 words or less how this person lives a healthy lifestyle and inspires others to do the same.