The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department’s Eastlake Park and FitPHX are offering free walking tours March 1 through that unique neighborhood in Phoenix. The 3.4 mile circuit will leave from the park at 16th Street and Jefferson and will include visits to Tanner AME Church, the oldest African-American church in Arizona, as well as other historic properties in this neighborhood with deep ties to the Valley’s African- American community. Eastlake Park dates back to the 1880s, when it was operated privately, before becoming a city park in 1914.

The event kicks off at 9 a.m. with comments from Mayor Greg Stanton, former Councilman Calvin Goode, Dr. Matthew Whitaker from ASU and Kevin Weight from the city’s Historic Preservation Office. Walking tours will leave the park at 9:45, 10 and 10:15 a.m. with free refreshments in the park at 11:30. Most participants will complete the walk in 1.5 hours.

The event is the official kickoff to Eastlake Park’s 100-Year Anniversary as a city park. More information on Eastlake Park and its community center is available at the Parks and Recreation Department website or by calling the center at 602-262-6759.

FitPHX is a citywide initiative, led by Mayor Stanton, Councilman Valenzuela and Olympic Gold Medalist Misty Hyman, with the goal of improving health and wellness in the region and making the Phoenix area one of the healthiest in the nation.   back...