OUTDOOR GYM PLANNING
How to design a functional park for Seniors
Seven tips for planning a Senior Park
Senior park, elderly fitness site, or pensioner playgrounds? We favour the term 'Senior Park' as it encompasses all the activities surrounding a functional park for seniors. Numerous factors come into play when designing a Senior Park because it is not merely about maintaining fitness through exercise. A Senior Park in Australia should provide multi-purpose activities such as social interactions and recreational opportunities.
Here are seven tips to consider when constructing and planning an outdoor park for seniors:
User engagement
Community atmosphere
Accessibility
Equipment selection
Prioritising safety
Professional consultation
Budgetary considerations
Planning a Senior Park involves addressing several aspects when outlining the design. Prior to the design process, stakeholders should determine user involvement, the park's ambience, equipment selection, safety measures, and professional consultation. The optimal starting point when developing an elderly park is to ensure its appeal to all kinds of seniors in your community.
Tip 1
Involving the user
Seniors are a unique demographic of people with different needs or age-related concerns. Some seniors may seek community and social opportunities, others want to stay fit or use equipment for rehabilitation, and some retirees need a relaxing place to rest in the shade to enjoy the day. Don't forget to engage the residents who live in the area where your project will be before the design process so that their wants and needs are catered to.
Tip 2: Building community
Encouraging senior citizens to venture outside and enjoy the open air offers numerous advantages. The primary objective behind creating a park tailored for the elderly is to promote well-being, foster a sense of community, and facilitate social interactions. This goes beyond mere physical fitness, exercise, or rehabilitation; it extends to the opportunity to connect and engage with fellow seniors in an outdoor setting. The advantages of a communal space and a feeling of belonging serve as effective measures against loneliness and isolation.
Tip 3: Accessibility
Be mindful that seniors facing mobility challenges frequently use mobility aids such as walking frames, walking sticks, or wheelchairs. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the ground surfaces are even, and there are wide pathways or ramps leading to and from the parking area. Ramps should have a moderate incline for accessibility. Providing easy access to your Senior Park is essential. To enhance comfort, consider strategically placing benches along the pathways to allow for rest when necessary.
Additionally, take into consideration that older individuals may visit the park with their families. Designing the space to accommodate activities for multiple generations facilitates quality time for the entire family. Including site amenities such as tables and benches can extend the duration of visitors' stay in your park, allowing them to bring and enjoy a picnic.
Tip 4
Equipment selection
At KOMPAN, we've developed equipment targeting seniors to aid essential skills such as walking on uneven terrain or negotiating steps and stairs. Frequently, a decline in physical activity or even minor mishaps can initiate a negative trend towards inactivity. Stumbles and falls rank high among the most common precursors to injuries. It is widely acknowledged that slips or trips account for three-quarters of incidents resulting in harm to older individuals. Prevention is better than cure, but the equipment is also a valuable means of rehabilitation in case of a mishap.
Tip 5: Safety
Choosing the right equipment is crucial – it should be easy to use, come with clear instructions, and, most importantly, keep everyone safe. Top-quality equipment is a must to avoid any mishaps. Keeping the park clean and tidy not only makes it safer but also prevents any trips or falls. Good lighting is key for a safe and welcoming atmosphere, especially for those with sight issues. Shaded spots are a necessity, ensuring our seniors stay cool and hydrated in warm weather. Placing toilets and water close by makes the park more inviting for everyone.
Tip 6: Professional consultation
We always suggest having a chat with healthcare staff who know their way around the needs of older adults – think fitness instructors, nurses, physiotherapists, or friendly physicians. They can be a great help in picking out the perfect gear for the seniors in your community.
Our team of fitness professionals has plenty of experience crafting and designing effective and well-frequented senior parks. We're here to make sure your project not only fits your budget but also brings out the best in terms of design and functionality.
Tip 7: Budget
Budget considerations are a big deal when it comes to crafting a Senior Park plan. To make the most of your budget, we suggest having a chat with our team of experts who really know how to help you stay on budget while bringing your project to life.
Around half of your budget goes into getting the necessary equipment, and the rest is divided up for services like building the senior space, landscaping, installation, and shipping. Plus, we make sure everything meets the Australian standards and safety criteria.
Senior Parks and their health benefits
Senior Parks offer numerous health advantages. Advancing age brings about physiological shifts and diminished physical capabilities. However, a significant portion of these changes can be linked to reduced levels of physical activity and can be mitigated or averted through regular exercise. Physical activity not only enhances muscle strength but also guards against age-related issues like compromised cardiometabolic health, lowering the susceptibility to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The social and emotional aspects of engaging in outdoor exercise within a Senior Park also play a pivotal role in inspiring older Australians and enhancing their overall well-being.
Explore our fitness planning page for further insights on how to build an outdoor gym.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should seniors lift heavy or light weights?
Weightlifting can be a great method for enhancing muscle strength. However, for individuals over 50, it's not necessary to exert yourself too much. Consider opting for a slightly lighter weight that allows you to comfortably complete 10 to 12 repetitions - this will be safer and a more enjoyable workout experience.
What type of training is best for seniors
The optimal way to ward off prevalent lifestyle ailments is a blend of cardiovascular workouts, resistance training, and more physical activity overall. Engaging in weighted exercises, in particular, contributes significantly to better bone density and moderate-intensity exercise is ideal for improving heart and lung health. For instance, targeting around 70% of one's maximum heart rate (calculated as 220 beats per minute minus the individual's age) is considered best.
What type of equipment is best for Senior Parks?
Exercise equipment for seniors like the KOMPAN Stay Fit range is an ideal choice. The Up & Go may seem simplistic, yet it mimics some of the most important movements seniors do every day. Users can gauge their fitness level by testing how many 'up and gos' they can do in a set period of time. The Stairs and Ramp, Double Stairs, and Balance Board help mimic the most common activities encountered during the typical day of a senior.
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