You’ll know summer is upon us in Sacramento when free mental health and wellness activities return to Midtown Parks.
The Midtown Association announced its 2026 lineup of Fresh Air: Midtown Parks. The activities are held across four Midtown parks every weekday from May through September.
This year, at Fremont Park, Winn Park, Sutter’s Fort and Marshall Park, they’re offering free yoga, pilates, Tai Chi, and strength and conditioning. These activities are open to all ages, fitness levels and provide a way for the community to stay healthy.
Executive Director of Midtown Association Emily Baime Michaels said the activities started in response to the community wanting to do things outside safely during COVID.
“We've really intentionally built something that's very consistent, that is very free, approachable, just to get people out enjoying the green spaces in Midtown,” Baime Michaels said. “It's now building into a very large scale and immersive experience that is really sustained through investment from ourselves in the community.”
Fresh Air: Midtown Parks will be going on all summer from May through September.Photo courtesy of Midtown Association
Baime Michaels said people should participate in these events because they’re easy and free.
“It takes such little effort to grab a yoga mat, throw on a pair of shorts, come out and sit in the park,” she said. “By showing up, you're showing that whoever it is that you are, and whatever demographic you represent, that a public space is safe and welcoming for you, and it means that it'll feel safe and welcoming for somebody else.”
The Fresh Air: Midtown Park’s schedule is:
- Mondays @ Marshall Park (915 27th St)| 6—7 P.M. Mat Pilates
- Tuesdays @ Fremont Park (1515 Q St)| 6—7 P.M. Yoga
- Wednesdays @ Winn Park (1616 28th St) | 6—7 P.M. Rotating Class (Strength & Conditioning or Tai Chi)*
Additionally, there will be an official art installation unveiling of Fremont Park Bloom on Saturday May 9.
The installation consists of 30 six to nine foot tall sculptures that illuminate at night. They’ll be at Fremont Park for the next 40 days, according to Baime Michaels.
“They are surrounded by Fresh Air at Fremont Park, which is going to be things like yoga in the park,” she said. “But, there's also some really fun additional programming that will be paired with this for the Second Saturday, including a silent disco, an art market and a car show that's in the area.”
The community will also be able to enjoy a picnic that will be hosted every Wednesday starting May 13 as part of the Fremont Park Bloom activities.
The sculptures were created by metal artist and certified welder Gina Rossi who said she was brought into the project by Atlas Lab and the Midtown Association.
Rossi made all 30 of the sculptures, which she started creating in February. She was honored for the opportunity to create the sculptures and for the challenge of making them light up without any plug-ins.
“It was very exciting for me, because I always like pushing the envelope as a creator,” Rossi said. “Anytime someone kind of presents something to me that's a little more difficult when you just can't just plug in the lights, but yet you want them to run every evening.”
The sculptures include 120 orange petals, which is fitting for Rossi because she had stage four leukemia.
“It's exciting for me, because leukemia’s color is orange,” Rossi said. ”So within myself, it's just so symbolic for me, it means so much to be able to be a part of this.”
Baime Michaels said with the Big Day of Giving coming up, people can donate specifically to the Fremont Park Bloom.
“If you donate $25 or more, you get automatically entered to win a VIP picnic near the Fremont Bloom, which is going to be really fun,” she said. “It includes several friends, and you get all your goodies set up for you.”
The Fremont Park Bloom schedule is:
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Thursday May 7, 2026 from 6—9 PM: Midtown Love
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Saturday May 9, 2026 from 4—8 PM: Midtown Second Saturday Art Market and Silent Disco
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Tuesday May 12—Thursday June 11, 2026 from 6—7 PM: Fresh Air: Midtown Parks Yoga Classes
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Wednesday May 13 — Wednesday June 10, 2026 from 6—8 PM: Poppies Picnic Series
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Saturday June 13, 2026 from 4—8 PM: Midtown Second Saturday Car Show
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