New park making super seniors

IT might look like an oversized playground, but a new facility installed at Mt Pleasant Reserve has some very grown-up ideas behind it.

Known as seniors exercise park, the installation is first in regional Victoria and aimed at getting older members of the community both physically and mentally active.

The new Mount Pleasant facility is a partnership between National Ageing Research Institute, State Trustees and the City of Ballarat and forms part of the NARI’s Exercise interveNtion outdoor proJect in the cOmmunitY or ENJOY MAP for HEALTH project for short.

“The beauty of the ENJOY MAP for HEALTH program is people will be trained to deliver the specialist exercise programs, which means the seniors exercise park will have longevity in the community,” said NARI director Professor Briony Dow.

“The seniors exercise park will assist older people to improve their strength, balance, joint movements, mobility and function. The park deliberately features unstable surfaces to challenge balance and promote core strength.”

Claire Dalman was one of the first seniors to try out the park and was positive on the experience.

“This is a great idea,” she said “We build kids playgrounds, why not adults’ as well?

“We have four grandchildren in the Ballarat area, and as grandparents, we can bring the children here to the kid’s playground and use this exercise equipment. The kids would enjoy this equipment as well.”

The project was also funded by State Trustees and City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Molony welcomed the collaborative effort.

“We greatly appreciate their contribution to a facility that I am certain will be welcomed and utilised by our older, active citizens wishing to maintain their health and physical strength and improve their quality of life,” he said.