City of Twentynine Palms Parks & Recreation Receives Supporting Healthy Aging Through Parks and Recreation 5.0 (SHAPR 5.0) Grant

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Grant provided by the National Recreation and Park Association with funding support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Twentynine Palms Parks & Recreation staff soon will be offering people of all ages a new way to stay fit. Thanks to a grant provided from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) with funding support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Twentynine Palms Parks & Recreation is one of 31 park and recreation agencies across the country awarded the SHAPR 5.0 award. Twentynine Palms Parks & Recreation will offer the Walk With Ease (WWE) program to the Twentynine Palms community through this grant.

Twentynine Palms Parks and Recreation professionals have long been champions of incorporating health and wellness programs into the community. The WWE program, developed by the Arthritis Foundation, is another tool these professionals can use to help residents. The program is scientifically proven to help reduce pain and stiffness associated with arthritis but offers benefits for people managing other chronic conditions. Studies by the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the Institute on Aging at the University of North Carolina have shown that WWE contributes to reduced pain, increased balance and strength, increased levels of physical activity and improved overall health.

Together, NRPA and the CDC aim to reach more people living with arthritis and other chronic conditions to improve their levels of physical activity and quality of life through this trusted and measurable program administered by local parks and recreation.

"Six in 10 adults in the United States suffer from one or more chronic conditions, like arthritis, including people who live right here in Twentynine Palms," said Amy Tessier, Recreation Program Supervisor. "This grant from NRPA and the CDC allows us to help the older adults in our community and adds a new way for Twentynine Palms residents to achieve their health and wellness goals."

The Walk With Ease program will be led by certified instructors and offered three times per week for six weeks. The first session begins February 9 at 9:00 a.m. at Patriotic Hall, 5882 Luckie Avenue, and will meet on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. A total of five six-week sessions will be offered throughout the year, running through the end of September. Participation is free of charge.

Pre-registration is required. Participants may register in person at the Parks & Recreation Office, located at 74362 Joe Davis Drive, Monday through Friday from 1:00-6:00 p.m.

For more information or to register, contact the Twentynine Palms Parks & Recreation Department at 760-367-7562 ext. 1021.