6) ADVANCE: A Seniors Vision For Ward 4 & King

BOTTOM LINE – I’ll work with Council to advance a progressive Seniors Vision and a Plan to realize it.

Born in 1964, I am statistically amongst the youngest of the Baby Boomers. And as a post-war sensation, we are staring to retire. Our numbers are immense. And we will increasingly demand services from all levels of government to maintain and extend our healthy lifestyles.

I discuss my Strategy for Seniors below. To get you thinking of the possibilities, read this short story below about a first-time project in London. We need to think “outside the box” about our growing needs, and this one got me thinking! How about you?

Please comment below!

Do we need “seniors playgrounds” dotting King? How about one in each of the 3 villages? Possibly. Perhaps a Seniors-inclusive Township recreation complex? Maybe.

However OUR needs will be addressed – maybe we need more, perhaps a LOT more, of this way of thinking (especially with strained budgets to assist Seniors at all government levels).

By the way:   King has nearly a dozen new parks and parkettes planned for King within the next few years (as the new subdivisions are completed). Perhaps as Seniors we’d like to have a say in them.

I’ll work with Council to advance

a progressive Seniors Vision and a Plan to realize it.

LONDON (AP) — London’s first “senior’s playground” opened Wednesday in Hyde Park, after residents campaigned for more facilities to help older people get fit.

Organizers said people began lining up early in the morning to try the six low-impact fitness machines, which include a cross-trainer, a stationary bicycle and a sit-up bench.

“It was great seeing a large group of older people there, trying to outdo each other, even,” said Mark Camley, the chief executive of the body managing the park. “As we get an increasingly older population, it’s important to find ways to keep them active.”

The playground is aimed at people over 60, although the gentle exercise also helps patients recovering from operations and injury. It’s the first of its kind in London, and is modeled on similar play areas for the elderly in other European countries.

Frances Blois, a retired local government official, said the idea was to provide a friendly, free outside gym that won’t intimidate older people and can allow them to socialize while toning their muscles.

“We need to have somewhere not intimidating,” she said.

The facility allows people to join friends and get fresh air in relaxed and attractive surroundings, she said.

Westminster City Council, which gave 40,000 pounds ($60,000) to fund the project, said a sign would identify the area as the “Hyde Park Senior Playground” but people of any age would be welcome to use it.

SENIORS VISION:

1) Recreation, Health & Fitness. We need local support for seniors within our communities. This includes a broad menu of services, and places to congregate and socialize. And,  we will increasingly need a centralized Township multi-use facility that will support more focused Seniors’ needs.

2) Planning Tools. These must reflect the changing age demographic of our communities, to amongst other things, support more assisted and senior housing, and services to support them.

3) Transportation. Getting around becomes more and more of an issue as we age. To access services and to remain integrated within our existing communities, we need the selective ability to transit, and for critical services to come to us.

MORE: I discuss our Seniors more in “Evolving Resident Needs” in MANAGE:  Responsible Growth