“Worth Repeating” is a weekly feature on the EngAGE Blog that will bring you previous posts that we think are still timely, interesting, or just plain fun! From 6/18/12:
In 2008, a “pensioner’s playground” opened in Manchester, England. ”Instead of slides and roundabouts, it is equipped with machines specially designed to provide gentle exercise for different parts of the body such as hips, legs and torso…Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said: ‘A well-designed fitness park could be a great way to encourage older people to exercise and socialise.”‘ Read more and see more pictures here.
In 2010, Westminster City Council created a similar playground in Hyde Park, the first in the city of London. ”People need to stay active, maintain independence and are never too old to play,” said Madeline Elsdon, spokeswoman for the Knightsbridge Association which proposed the playground. Read more here.
“The first pensioner’s playground in Europe opened in Berlin in 2007. It was designed by Renate Zeumer, an engineer who noticed older people in China using simple pieces of government-provided equipment to exercise in parks, on the streets and in subway stations.” You can read about it here.
And here’s an article from Athletic Business that compares senior playgrounds around the world.
What do you think about this idea? Would you like to see a playground designed for seniors in your neighborhood?
