“It’s really important for me to hear what is going on in the community … [and] to hear what people want to see in their parks,” said Adolfo Cruz, Director for City of Riverside’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. “The real important input comes from the community.”

“It’s really important for me to hear what is going on in the community … [and] to hear what people want to see in their parks,” said Adolfo Cruz, Director for City of Riverside’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. “The real important input comes from the community.”

Parks play a vital role in the social, economic and physical well-being of urban communities, which reinforce the Eastside HEAL Zone’s core values of healthy eating, active living. Through the collaborative (which is led by Riverside Community Health Foundation) Cruz has helped support 4 park improvements and over 29 community art projects in the Eastside over the last 6 years.

“[Eastside HEAL Zone] really embrace[s] the community,” said Cruz. “It’s a unique program, and strong demonstration of community partners coming together.”

Cruz encourages the community to vote for Riverside Community Health Foundation in the Aetna Voices of Health competition to reaffirm the positive work Eastside HEAL Zone has done.

“I couldn’t imagine the Eastside without the HEAL Zone,” concluded Cruz. “There is a spirit about the Eastside, and a lot of it could be attributed to Riverside Community Health Foundation and the HEAL Zone.”