Play hard, seniors!
As the laughter of children on the slippery dip softens, seniors looking for increased health and wellness are venturing to the playground for a health-kick. Opened to the public this month, what has been described as Sydney’s first ‘older people’s playground is proving you are never too old to play’.
As the laughter of children on the slippery dip softens, seniors looking for increased health and wellness are venturing to the playground for a health-kick.
Opened to the public this month, what has been described as Sydney’s first ‘older people’s playground is proving you are never too old to play’.
The park is a project carried out by Leichhardt Council to provide more recreational facilities for seniors in the area.
Sydney is taking the lead from countries such as Britain and America, which have already designed playgrounds suited for older people.
In 2008, the first playground for people aged over 60 years reportedly opened in Manchester, United Kingdom. The park featured low impact exercise equipment designed to help older people improve their balance and flexibility.
However, the concept of senior playgrounds reportedly did not originate in the UK. China, Japan and Finland have long encouraged generational exercise, with Japan opening a seniors’ park in 2004.
Sydney’s Inner West Courier reports a Leichhardt Council spokesperson as saying the playground was part of the council’s Recreation and Needs Study 2005, which highlights the need for facilities for older adults in promoting health and wellbeing.
The new playground’s equipment includes free runners, sit-up benches, push-up bars, a cycle trainer, body flexer, upper body trainer and a rubber soft b?all ground.
The park opened this month and is located between the Bay Run and Leichhardt swimming pool complex. For more information, contact Leichhardt Council by phoning (02) 9367 9222.
