September 12, 2009

Nelson Seniors Benefit From New Seniors Park

NELSON – Local seniors will benefit from their very own ActNow BC Seniors Park at Lakeside Sports Field to promote a sense of community and healthy lifestyles.

“By providing free access to this equipment for health and fitness we are helping seniors develop and maintain healthy lifestyle habits to ensure an excellent quality of life as we all age,” says Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater.  “This new seniors park is also a great gathering place for seniors to socialize and enjoy the outdoors while they exercise.”

Through grant funding made available from the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport, the City of Nelson unveiled today the grand opening of the ActNow BC Seniors Park located at Lakeside Sports Field to help seniors stay active and healthy. The provincial government contributed $97,500 for the supply and installation of equipment. The City of Nelson contributed $10,000.

“The City of Nelson greatly appreciates receiving the funding from the Province of B.C. to make this park possible,” says the City of Nelson’s Acting Mayor Robin Cherbo. “Not only is this outdoor park a great place for seniors to be active and enjoy the picturesque setting of our waterfront, the exercise equipment is also suitable and fun for all ages.”

The province provided a total of $1.8 million to 18 communities throughout British Columbia to establish ActNow BC Seniors Community Parks that will encourage B.C. seniors to live healthy, active lives. These parks will provide specialized outdoor recreational equipment and activities designed to improve mobility, coordination and balance, as well as opportunities for social interaction – a critical healthy living component for older people.

The ActNow BC Seniors Community Parks are a priority action in the recently launched Seniors in BC: A Healthy Living Framework action plan for seniors – B.C.’s plan to support older British Columbians to live healthy active lives. To read about other initiatives in the Seniors in BC: A Healthy Living Framework, visit: http://www.hls.gov.bc.ca/seniors/ .

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