Visit a playground and you're almost certain to see happy children running, climbing and sliding to fun and fitness. What you usually don't see are adults, particularly seniors, out and about.
That's about to change. In October, more than 200 volunteers gathered in Seattle to build a playground for all ages. In addition to traditional play structures for children, Tudor Square Park now offers adult elements, including fitness stations, walking paths and balance and flexibility apparatus. "It's a truly multi-generational space for people of all ages to play, get active and even gather for family reunions, picnics and more," says Nikki Bonifer, Medicare marketing director for Humana.
The healthcare provider and KaBOOM, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting play for America's children, are spearheading an effort to build multi-generational playgrounds around the U.S.. Humana found that nearly one-third of seniors desire multigenerational playgrounds and reunion spaces where families can gather, exercise and build memories. The goal, says Bonifer, is to create "a lasting neighborhood legacy by building spaces for all generations to play and stay active for years to come."
A recent study from the National Council on Aging and Humana found that these facilities could be a boon to seniors. Seven in ten say that they exercise for 30 minutes at least three times per week. Meanwhile, playgrounds benefit children—many of whom don't get adequate exercise and have minimal interaction with other generations on a daily basis. According to a study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), only one in five children in the U.S. live within a half mile of a park or playground.
In addition to Seattle, community groups in New Orleans, Greensboro, Albuquerque, Tucson, Nashville, Orlando, and San Antonio have constructed multi-generational playgrounds in recent weeks. In most cases, the projects are completed within a single day. Humana and KaBOOM hope to team up with more local communities to build additional multi-generational playgrounds in the future. Says Bonifer: "The goal is to create truly multi-generational spaces for families to enjoy for years to come."
CONNECT THE DOTS
Visit the KaBOOM website to find out about an iPhone app called Playgrounds that helps you locate playgrounds in your area. You can download it from iTunes. A KaBOOM report called Play Matters offers insights into ways to improve childhood play. Also check out a Healthy Outlook Blog post, "Kick Your Kids Out Now," which discusses ways to get kids engaged in outside exercise.
Samuel Greengard 15 Dec, 2011--
Source: http://www.healthymagination.com/blog/multi-generational-playgrounds-keep-families-fit/
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