Eugene Parks and Recreation Expands Free Senior Fitness Programs to Two Sites

The Eugene City Council approved expanded funding last month for free senior fitness classes run through the parks department, with sessions now scheduled at the Sheldon Community Center and the Amazon Community Center.

Participation has grown steadily since the city first offered the programs in 2023, and officials point to an aging local population as the reason for the added locations and times. The new classes begin July 13 and run through December at no charge to participants who live inside city limits.

Classes at two fixed sites

Residents can choose between the Sheldon Community Center on Willamette Street, where chair yoga meets Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m., or the Amazon Community Center near 29th Avenue, where balance and strength training takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. Both sites include equipment such as resistance bands and light hand weights supplied by the city. Walkers from nearby neighborhoods including Bethel and the Whiteaker use the Riverfront path to reach the centers, cutting down on transportation barriers.

City records show 1,180 seniors registered for at least one session during the first half of 2026, up from 870 the prior year. Average attendance per class sits at 22 people, with sessions capped at 30 to maintain instructor attention. No equipment fees apply, though participants must bring a water bottle and wear closed-toe shoes.

Sign-up and next steps

Registration opens online through the parks department portal or in person at either center during regular business hours. Staff recommend arriving 15 minutes early for the first class to complete a simple health questionnaire. Those who prefer outdoor options can join the weekly walking groups that depart from Petersen Barn on Bailey Hill Road every Friday at 8 a.m. Contact the Eugene Parks and Recreation office at 541-682-5371 for current schedules or to request a printed calendar mailed to any local address.