PERHAPS Wollongong’s most eminent senior citizen, Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery says he “objects strongly” to the idea of constructing seniors-only parks in his local government area.
Debating an idea brought forward to look into installing dedicated seniors exercise areas by Labor councillor Jenelle Rimmer at last week’s council meeting, Cr Bradbery labeled the plan “really strange and weird”.
“Councillors, as one who qualifies to enter one of these [parks>[/embedp>
In a motion eventually supported by all councillors, Cr Rimmer asked that the council start investigating the cost and possible locations for a dedicated seniors exercise park.
“What I want to see is a specific park that promotes physical activity which will help with muscle strength and improving balance,” she said. “[The parks can>[/embedp>
She asked for councillors to receive a confidential briefing on the possibility of building a park.
Like his independent counterpart, Dom Figliomeni said he was on the fence about seniors exercise areas, and said he would prefer to hear from an organisation like Council on the Ageing (COTA) before using council resources to investigate the initiative.
But Liberal Leigh Colacino praised Cr Rimmer for the idea, saying it was important for residents of all ages to have space to play and suggested the council look into the possible installation of multiple parks.
Introducing her motion, Cr Rimmer cited research published earlier this month by Victoria University, which studied 70 residents aged 60 to 87 in an 18-week clinical trial, found that specially-designed parks could help seniors better cope with daily activities and reduce falls.
Exercise physiologist Dr Myrla Sales said seniors had few options for exercise in public spaces, and noted dedicated parks were popular in Europe and Asia.
“Some seniors of this generation may play lawn bowls or do physical incidental activities, but that is not the same as systematic, structured exercise that works on their strength, balance, mobility, flexibility, and coordination,” Dr Sales said.
She suggested seniors exercise parks could be located next to children’s playgrounds to allow for grandparents and their grandchildren to attend together and called on councils around Australia to heed her research.
