OUTDOOR GYM PLANNING
How to Design a Functional Park for Seniors
Seven Tips for Planning a Senior Park
We prefer using the term "senior park" instead of "senior fitness site" or "senior citizen playgrounds". A senior park should not be viewed as just a fitness center for seniors, but rather a place that caters to their overall well-being. Therefore, it is crucial to consider multiple aspects when designing such a park, including social activities and recreational purposes. So, we firmly assert that a senior park must offer multi-purpose activities to ensure that seniors have access to all the benefits that a functional park can provide.
Here are seven tips to consider when building and planning a park for senior citizens:
User-involvement
Community Feel
Accessibility
Type of Equipment
Safety First
Consult the professionals
Budget
How to build a functional park for elderly or senior citizens?
When planning a senior park, several aspects need to be taken into consideration in order to outline the design. Before beginning the design process, all parties involved should decide on the levels of user involvement, the park's surroundings, the type of equipment to be used, safety measures, and the need for professional consultation. The most important starting point when building a senior park is to ensure that the park caters to all types of seniors in the community.
Tip 1
User-Involvement
Seniors like all age groups are a diverse group of individuals with a variety of needs and age-related issues. For instance, some elderly individuals may prefer to be part of a community with people of their age, while others may require access to equipment for rehabilitation or want to stay fit. Additionally, some seniors may simply need a bench in the shade where they can enjoy the view or observe everyday life. Therefore, it is important to engage with your community and residents in the area before starting the design process to ensure that their preferences and requirements are taken into account.
Tip 2: Community Feel
Encouraging elderly members of the community to leave their homes and enjoy the fresh air outdoors has many advantages. The main aim of designing a park for older adults is to promote their well-being, foster a sense of community, and provide them with an opportunity to spend time with others. Not only can outdoor activities help them stay fit, exercise, and recover from illnesses, but they can also interact and engage with peers, preventing feelings of loneliness and isolation. The benefits of a shared community and a sense of belonging can have a positive impact on their overall mental and physical health.
Tip 3: Accessibility
It's important to keep in mind that seniors who have mobility challenges may need to use walkers, walking canes, or even wheelchairs when visiting your park. As a result, it's essential to have even ground surfaces and wide routes or ramps to and from the parking area. Ramps should be designed with a reasonable gradient to ensure accessibility. Providing easy access to your senior park is crucial, and for extra comfort, it's recommended to have benches placed along the way to allow visitors to rest when needed. Additionally, it's also important to consider that older people may bring their families to the park. Therefore, designing your space to include activities that cater to multiple generations is ideal for enabling quality time for the entire family. Site amenities like tables and benches will also increase the duration of the time spent in your park as visitors can bring and enjoy a picnic.
Tip 4
Type of Equipment
KOMPAN has designed a range of equipment specifically for seniors that helps them train fundamental skills like walking on uneven surfaces or navigating steps and stairs. Often, inactivity or even minor physical mishaps can lead to a downward spiral. Trips and falls are among the most frequent triggers for injuries, and it's universally accepted that three-quarters of fatal and non-fatal accidents involving older people are caused by slipping or stumbling. Prevention is better than cure, but the equipment is also a valuable means of rehabilitation in case of a mishap.
Tip 5: Safety
It is crucial to carefully consider the equipment used in a park to ensure it is easy to use, safe and comes with clear instructions. High-quality equipment is imperative to avoid any injuries. Additionally, keeping the park tidy and clean can help prevent fall injuries, making the area safer for everyone. Installing good lighting in the park can also make the area feel more welcoming, especially for those with conditions that affect their eyesight. Providing shaded areas is also important as seniors need to stay cool and out of the sun to prevent dehydration, especially during warm weather. The availability of toilets and drinking water close to the park's location can also increase the number of people visiting the park.
Tip 6: Consult the Professionals
It is highly recommended to seek advice from healthcare professionals who specialise in working with older adults, such as fitness instructors, nurses, physiotherapists, or physicians. They can help you choose the right equipment for seniors in your community.
Our team of fitness experts has extensive experience in building and designing functional play and fitness parks. They are here to ensure that you make the most of your project by providing guidance on design and budgeting.
Tip 7: Budget
When planning a senior park, budget is always an important consideration. To make sure you get the most value for your money, we suggest consulting with our team of experts. They are well-equipped to help you stay within your budget and achieve your goals. About half of your budget will typically be allocated for equipment, while the rest will cover services such as landscaping, installation, shipping, and building the senior park itself. We also take great care to ensure that all safety requirements are met in accordance with local rules and regulations.
The Health Benefits of Senior Parks
As people age, their bodies undergo physiological changes that often lead to decreased physical performance. However, studies show that much of this decline can be attributed to reduced physical activity levels. Regular exercise has many health benefits for seniors, including building muscle strength, improving cardiometabolic health, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. In addition to physical benefits, outdoor exercise in senior parks can also have positive social and emotional effects. It can motivate older adults to exercise and increase their overall quality of life.
Check out our fitness planning page to learn more about how to build an outdoor gym.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should seniors lift heavy or light weights?
Lifting weights can be a great way to build muscle strength, but when you're over 50, it's important not to push yourself too hard. Instead, try using a slightly lighter weight that allows you to safely perform 10 to 12 reps.
What type of training is best for seniors
To prevent most lifestyle diseases, it's important to engage in a combination of cardio and strength training, as well as increase your overall physical activity levels. Weight-bearing exercise, in particular, can help keep your bones healthy and strong. For your heart and lungs, moderate intensity exercise is best, which typically means exercising at about 70% of your maximum heart rate (which can be calculated by subtracting your age from 220 beats per minute).
What type of equipment is best for senior parks?
Our Stay Fit range offers exercise equipment that is specifically designed for seniors. One of the products in this range is the Up & Go, which may seem simple, but it is highly effective. It consists of a seat, a guide rail, and a post to walk around, which help mimic some of the most crucial movements. By timing how many repetitions you can do, you can determine your fitness level. Additionally, we have other products like the Stairs and Ramp, Double Stairs, and Balance Board that simulate common activities encountered throughout the day. These products can be very useful in helping seniors maintain their fitness and independence.
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