Blue Zones Project - Bakersfield

That's a wrap 🎬 on the second Love Your Park campaign event at Heritage Park! Thanks to funding through the Caltrans Clean California Local Grant Program, Kern County Parks was able to invest $4.2 million into this East Bakersfield gathering space. New playground equipment, shade pavilions and bathrooms were installed, the skate park was revamped with colorful murals and 68 trees were planted. A literacy trail was also installed along one of the new walking paths. The Love Your Park campaign wouldn't be possible without support from The City of Bakersfield Recreation and Parks and North of the River Recreation and Park District. Stay tuned for details on the next Love Your Park event happening on November 9 at Riverview Park! #LoveYourPark #Connect #MoveNaturally #LiveLongerBetter 🎥 The Beacon Studios

We’re celebrating another big first for Bakersfield – KC Steakhouse is our city’s first steakhouse to become a Blue Zones Project approved restaurant! Established in 1939, KC Steakhouse is a Bakersfield institution. It’s known as a haven for those seeking the perfect blend of classic American cuisine, live music and vintage charm. It was also featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. “Our restaurants bring families and communities together to celebrate life’s accomplishments. If we can influence a healthier lifestyle, there will be many more memories made for us to share throughout the years,” said owner Cassie Bittle. Largely known for its steaks and seafood dishes, KC Steakhouse unveiled 5 BZP inspired, included a cauliflower steak with chimichurri sauce and overhauled its children’s menu to offer several healthier options.   Make plans to come celebrate KC Steakhouse’s milestone at our celebration event! 📆 October 17 ⏰ 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 📍 2515 F Street ✅ Free samples of KC Steakhouse’s BZP inspired items will be available #Restaurant #Celebration #EatWisely #LiveLongerBetter

At the core of every safe and efficient transportation system lies the Safe Systems Approach – a proactive, comprehensive strategy designed to protect lives and prevent accidents before they happen or decrease incidents of severe injuries or death. The Safe Systems Approach offers a comprehensive strategy to protect every road user and makes our streets All-Ways Safe. #AllWaysSafe #PedestrianSafety #LiveLongerBetter

Throughout our community, there are amazing organizations offering vital services and resources to our city’s most vulnerable residents. Our team is humbled to play a small role through some of our volunteer opportunities, like through our Dine with Dignity series. On the second Thursday of each month, we’re partnering with the Mercy House Navigation Center to transform their community hall into an elegant dining experience for its homeless guests. We’ll serve delicious, restaurant-quality meals and provide a night of comfort and connection for those in need. 📅 October 11 ⏰ 4:30-6:30 p.m. 📍 Brundage Lane Navigation Center, 1900 E. Brundage Lane This event is more than just serving food – it's about giving dignity and love to the guests at Mercy House. Sign up at https://lnkd.in/gJvKddjf. #Volunteer #Purpose #RightOutlook #Connect #LiveLongerBetter

Bakersfield is home to over 90 parks and each one is unique for families to enjoy. East Bakersfield’s Heritage Park has a long history of being a place of gathering for community members to downshift, enjoy friends at five, spend time with family and move naturally. However, parks like Heritage Park are often underutilized due to having reputations of being unsafe or unappealing. We are working with Kern County Parks and Rec, North of the River Recreation and Park District and The City of Bakersfield Recreation and Parks Dept. on the Love Your Park campaign, which has a goal to change the narrative surrounding these parks to make them a hub of activity that will promote health and a sense of well-being for future generations. Join us on October 9 for the Love Your Park event at Heritage Park to celebrate the new improvements as part of this campaign! 📆 Wednesday October 9 ⏰ 10 a.m. 📍 Heritage Park 🏞 Check out the new amenities like new walking paths, new skatepark, new playground and new water fountains! #LoveYourPark #Connect #MoveNaturally #LiveLongerBetter

We’re excited to announce that Bombay Burgers is our community’s latest Blue Zones Project approved restaurant. This locally owned food truck fuses together traditional Indian flavors and spices with classic American favorites like burgers, tacos and wraps. They have 5 BZP inspired dishes on their menu and created a Lite Bites menus that features half-sized portions of their popular items – perfect for kids and adults alike!   Make plans to come celebrate Bombay Burgers’ milestone with a celebration event! 📆 October 11 ⏰ 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 📍 Parking lot of 4900 California Ave. Free samples of Bombay Burgers’ BZP inspired items – Aloo Tikki Burger and the Hummus Pita Wrap – will be available. Other menu items will also be available for purchase. #Restaurant #Celebration #EatWisely #LiveLongerBetter

Happy fall y'all! Our October events calendar is packed with events for everyone. And always, our events are free. If you're looking to find connection in our community, check out one of our upcoming volunteer opportunities. 🏞 Park Clean-Up: October 4 at 8 a.m. at Centennial Park, 450 Montclair St. ✨ Dine with Dignity at Mercy House: Help us serve meals on October 10 from 4:30-6:30 p.m., at the Brundage Lane Navigation Center, 1900 E. Brundage Lane. 🎨 Holiday Card Making for the Homeless: October 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the BZP Bakersfield office, 4900 California Ave., Suite 105A. Bring your creativity to craft a message of hope for our homeless neighbors. ✨ Virtual Volunteer Ambassador Training: October 28 from 12-1 p.m. Rediscover or reignite your passions in our Purpose Discovery Workshop! ✨ Purpose Workshop with Fortitude Community Farm School: October 26 at 10 a.m. at 13327 Ashe Road. ✨ Purpose Workshop with NAMI of Kern County: November 2 at 10 a.m. at Kern Literacy Council, 331 18th St. Find more ways to get involved at https://lnkd.in/gJvKddjf! #BZPBakersfield #Connect #RightOutlook #Volunteer #Community #LiveLongerBetter

Did you know that Bakersfield ranks fourth as the worst place to be a pedestrian nationwide? Our project is committed to reducing the number of pedestrian fatalities by working with The City of Bakersfield and other community partners to make sure our roads are safe for all modes of transportation. Stay tuned throughout October – which is also Pedestrian Safety Month – to learn more about how strategies, like the Safe System Approach, can help our community be All-Way Safe.  #AllWaysSafe #PedestrianSafety #LiveLongerBetter

We’re excited to team up with the KERN LITERACY COUNCIL and NAMI of Kern County to host the KLC Story Time at the Park Walking Moai series! This program is designed to bring families together, promote literacy, and foster a love of reading by providing access to books and creative activities. Each week, participants will enjoy a themed book reading and hands-on activities designed to spark creativity, mindfulness, and fun. Children will receive a free book and additional materials to encourage reading at home. 📅 Every Saturday for 10 weeks (October 12 – December 14) ⏰1-3 p.m. 📍 Heritage Park, 8636 Bernard St. ✨ If you attend regularly for 10 weeks, you'll receive a special gift to celebrate your dedication   This free series is the perfect chance to connect, learn and foster a love of reading for everyone! To check out the weekly topics or to sign up, visit https://lnkd.in/ge4sQRjG #Connect #MoveNaturally #Purpose #LiveLongerBetter

Congrats to our own Vicheka EK for being honored in Bakersfield Life Magazine's 20 under 40 for her work in the community!