Press Releases: Southern California
June 23, 2006
Swim, Splash, Thrive! Kaiser Permanente Announces Operation Splash!
Citywide Free Swimming Programs to Launch June 24
PASADENA, Calif. – Kaiser Permanente announced today a $1.2 million grant to provide Los Angeles city children free swim lessons and increased access to community pools. Operation Splash is a joint effort between Kaiser Permanente and the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks Aquatic Division. From June 24 through September 17, children and their families will have access to free swim lessons, a longer pool season, aquatic events and free swim days for the entire family.
“I am proud to work for a company that both understands and is willing to invest in helping children be safe and comfortable around water,” commented Dr. Benjamin Chu, president of Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “In addition to promoting safety, this program will encourage children to be more active. And the more active they become, the healthier they will be,” added Chu. “This program is a great example of what can be done through our Healthy Eating, Active Living campaign.”
"Kaiser Permanente's 'Operation Splash' is sure to bring miles of smiles to hundreds, if not thousands, of Los Angeles kids this summer," said Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge. "We are so very grateful for this program that provides a healthy, fun activity at city pools all over our city."
“No matter how many programs the City offers, there will always be a demand for more,” stated Jon Kirk Mukri, General Manager of Los Angeles City Recreation and Parks Department. “We are thrilled that Kaiser Permanente’s generous donation will allow us to reach more children this summer,” noted Mukri. “The benefits of learning to swim and maintaining an active lifestyle are priceless. These programs break down the barriers to pool access.”
The mission of Operation Splash is to support aquatic facilities and swim programs that help increase physical activity in low-income areas, diminish the risk of chronic disease, and build strong bodies. The program encourages all participants to become water-safe in a fun and healthy environment.
Program elements of Operation Splash include the addition of waterslides at Northridge Pool in the San Fernando Valley and Harvard Recreation Complex in South Los Angeles. Other elements include free swim lessons, an extended summer pool season, aquatic events and free family days. Swim lesson scholarships include a free swimsuit, goggles, towel and sunscreen. Children and their parents may check their eligibility at local participating community pools.
Residents can find out about participating pools by visiting the Los Angeles City Recreation and Parks Web site at www.laparks.org/dos/aquatic/aquatic.htm or by calling 888 LA-PARKS (1-888-527-2757 toll free). Registration is onsite at participating locations.
About the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Aquatic Division
The division operates the Department’s 59 year-round and seasonal swimming pools, including five pools located at Department camping sites. In addition, Aquatics operates 10 lakes and Cabrillo Beach. Year-round pools offer afternoon and evening sessions and operate throughout the year. Seasonal pools are open from the end of June through Labor Day. In addition to recreational swimming, the Division focuses on water safety for beginners to adults, group and private swimming lessons and parent/child classes.
Participating Pool Locations
1. 109th Street
2. Algin Sutton
3. Banning High School
4. Celes King III
5. Central
6. Costello
7. EG Roberts
8. Fernangeles
9. Freemont
10. Cheviot Hills
11. Glassell/Echo Park
12. Granada Hills
13. Green Meadows
14. Griffith
15. Harbor Park
16. Harvard (waterslide)
17. Highland
18. Hollywood
19. Hubert Humphrey
20. Lincoln
21. North Hollywood
22. Northridge (waterslide)
23. Pan Pacific
24. Pecan
25. Reseda
26. Richard Alatorre
27. Ritchie Valens
28. Roosevelt
29. Ross Snyder
30. Sepulveda
31. South Park
32. Stoner
33. Sun Valley
34. Sylmar
35. Valley Plaza
36. Van Ness
37. Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks
38. Venice
39. Westchester
40. Woodland Hills
41. Yosemite
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is America's leading integrated health plan. Founded in 1945, it is a nonprofit, group practice prepayment program with Southern California headquarters in Pasadena, California. Kaiser Permanente serves the health care needs of 3.3 million members in Southern California. Today it encompasses the nonprofit Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries, and the for-profit Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Kaiser Permanente's Southern California Region includes more than 49,900 technical, administrative and clerical employees and caregivers, and more than 6,000 physicians representing all specialties. More information about Kaiser Permanente can be found at kaiserpermanente.org.
