Pensioners’ playground

3:28pm Tuesday 26th February 2008

CRAIG WOODHOUSE visits the UK's first play area for the young at heart Britain's first pensioners' playground' opened in Greater Manchester last month with one elderly user declaring it made her feel 21 again!

The £15,000 outdoor facility in Dam Head Park, Blackley, features six pieces of fitness equipment designed specifically to provide gentle exercise for the over-60s.

The opening marked the end of a two-year quest by the Dam Head Residents' Association to find the perfect leisure facilities for its older members.

Located between a traditional children's playground and a multi-sports pitch, it has equipment to work the upper body, legs, hips and stomach.

Residents association chairman Joan Fitzgerald, 76, said the idea had come about after one of the members had seen a newspaper article about a similar project which had been carried out in Germany.

"It is all about health and fitness," she said. "A lot of older people don't want to go to gyms. We were looking for anything we could do for the residents of this area, and this was a new idea.

"The equipment is a laugh-a-minute. If it makes people laugh and there is exercise involved, then how can it be a bad thing? Laughter is the best medicine in the world."

As residents got to grips with the new equipment there was universal approval.

Peggy Yuill, 74, said: "It makes you feel 21 again. Makes you feel good and gives you a real buzz.

"When the weather gets better I think it will really take off. What's the point when you get older in just sitting on your bum?"

Jim Burke, 70, added: "It is good. You can really feel the exercise making a difference. It will bring the elderly into the park, and then it will bring the other adults and children in to watch them playing, so it will be good for the community."

Stepping off one machine, 71-year-old Nora Stafford laughed: "I hope I haven't done myself an injury! It's great exercise."

And Dorothy LeMoignan, 67, added: "I will come on here when I bring my granddaughters to the playground next door."

Funding was provided by Northwards Housing, which manages the estate. As boss Robin Lawler cut the ribbon to officially declare it open, he said: "God bless her and all who swing on her." Mrs Fitzgerald dismissed concerns about potential vandalism of the playground, saying that the children's version has been installed for four years without any problems. And she revealed that there has been interest from elsewhere in the country since the facility was first put up in mid-December. She added: "There was an old saying about 20 or 30 years ago that what Manchester does first the rest follows, and perhaps this will bring that back. I hope so, because Manchester is great." The park has also attracted from praise from Age Concern. Director general Gordon Lishman said: "A well-designed fitness park could be a great way to encourage older people to exercise and socialise. "Exercising a few times a week can make a big difference to someone's health and doesn't have to be strenuous. "Equally, socialising with others can help to alleviate feelings of loneliness and depression. "Many older people aren't exercising enough and we are really keen for local authorities to offer a range of accessible and affordable facilities that promote physical activity in later life."

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