These Playgrounds Popping Up Are Designed Specifically With Senior Citizens In Mind

by N/A, 10 years ago | 2 min read

Toy companies such KaBOOM! and Must Have Play are in the works on creating more of just what you'd expect, playground equipment, but the target demographic for their latest works is much different than you may be picturing in your head. Playgrounds for senior citizens are slowly gaining popularity in the United States, and not just as a place to play. The health and social benefits that coincide with such parks are something worth taking note of.

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So, to begin with, let's consider the social benefits that senior citizens can get from visiting a playground designed specifically with them in mind. Unfortunately, with aging comes feelings of isolation and loneliness with less social interactions.

These parks are meant to serve as a community and gathering place for senior citizens at the very base of the idea. They can interact with one another and meet some people they may not have otherwise met while enjoying the sweet bliss of retirement cooped up in their home.

But, these parks are obviously more than just a place for an aging demographic to hang out together and discuss the good ole days.

Full of low-impact exercise equipment, attendees can improve balance and flexibility. The equipment is similar to that of a stationary bike or an elliptical machine.

There's also opportunities for hand-eye dexterity games along with modified swing sets and see-saws that work out perfectly for senior citizens.

KaBOOM! has been branding these efforts as "Multigenerational" parks, where all ages are welcome. However, the addition of senior citizen specific equipment has lead to certain parks being used more than ever, such as a new development in Tampa, Florida. Additionally, a park in Cleveland helped a group of senior citizens start a fitness group.

It would seem that these parks are really taking off, especially considering KaBOOM! has built 53 parks in cities across the United States.

This is a recent trend in America, but has been a popular idea across the world for some time. In fact, in the Barcelona, Spain, area there are 300 senior citizen parks available.

So, it seems the United States has picked up on the trend, but has a lot of catching up to do. The parks are obviously beneficial in many different ways, and something our elderly counterparts would be grateful to have access to. Wouldn't you rather see them out enjoying themselves than just waiting around for grandkids that are too busy to come visit them? Seems pretty obvious when you put it like that.