The new London playground for older people

London is to have its first playground especially designed for older people to exercise and become fit.

The woman responsible for the plan, Madeline Elsdon said that the new playground will have equipment for older people "specially for gentle exercise." The new playground will be located in Hyde Park and is expected to be built by this Spring. It will have six pieces of equipment, manufactured in Denmark: a cross trainer, a sit-up bench and a stationary bicycle; all, says Ms Elsdon, chosen especially for older people so that they can work on improving strength and flexibility.

Ms Elsdon, whose local residents'association won funding for the playground, said: "Every park has a children's playground, very few have playgrounds for adults, and none have playgrounds for the elderly."

She added: "We wanted something that would be of long-term benefit to people, so we came up with this idea for an older person's playground."

Two years ago a similar type playground for over 60s was opened in the north of England. Already, exercise areas are popular in Europe and Asia.

Age Concern which works on behalf of older people is very encouraging. Its charity director Michelle Mitchell said that it would help older people who don't exercise enough and it would do them good to exercise with people of a similar age.

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