A playpark for the young at heart

Now a new playpark - with a difference - has been set up in a corner of Hyde Park in London. The difference is that this particular playpark is designed especially for older people and indeed out of bounds for under 15s! However, no adults of any age group will actually be turned away.

This new type of playground is relatively new in Britain and is inspired by similar projects in Denmark. In the playpark are six pieces of equipment that over 60s can safely try out and enjoy. The benefits are tremendous as there is such a need for older people to do regular exercise and often this is not at all regarded as fun. The facilities in this playpark however include a cross trainer, rowing machine and sit-up machine and older people do seem to be very much enjoying themselves on these!

Madeleine Elsdon, from the Knightsbridge Association who was the originator of the scheme said: ““People can come and have fun and socialise at the same time. We wanted to do something that led the way. Every park has a children’s playground. But there are few facilities for adults and very few for older adults. We hope in the future that every park will have a playground for older people.”

Ms Elsdon added: "We’ve been overwhelmed by the number of people who have been showing an interest. There are so few facilities for older people in parks.”

However, she took care to point out that the playpark is in no way a gym, which she herself finds intimidating and the machines too complicated.

The new playpark is mainly funded by Westminster Council who put up £40,000 of the cost. This was then supplemented by a donation of £10,000 from the Royal Parks.

An earlier scheme in Blackley near on the Damn Head Estate has been enormously successful. The exercise out in the open air and entirely free has made a world of difference to pensioners and given them a new lease of life with additional benefits to their social and mental well being. It has helped older people to avoid falls as it increases their ability to balance. It seems that four out of five people over 80 for example do not possess sufficient physical strength to get off a bus. However, the exercise provided in the play area has proved a unique way for such older residents in the area to maintain their health, stay physically active, be able to get off a bus and to never get old!

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