Summary of what people told us... |
- Older Adult Strategy Saanich Parks and Recreation
Public focus group
Location: Saanich Commonwealth Place
Date: Thursday, June 9th, 2016 Time: 6-7:30pm
9 participants participated from Saanich Commonwealth Place
Themes from this focus group: - Alternate forms of transportation ie biking/walking to (trails to connect recreation centres) – maintain trails for multiple users
- Recreation centres and trails – seen as a place of health, wellness and connectivity
- Need washrooms on trails
- Question 1: What are the best recreational opportunities that are available to you in your community – outdoor spaces, trails, recreation centres and parks?
- Rithets Bog-walking
- Lochside Trail – biking and walking
- Gordon Head Recreation Centre:
- Fitness classes
- Hot tub
- Convenience
- Price (year Pass drop in) (all Saanich Recreation centres
- For the price you pay for the pass is great for all the access you have to the facilities in Saanich
- Commonweatlh Place:
- Range of facilities
- Senior drop in
- Library
- Cafereia/Café (food and meeting friends after an activity)
- Staff expertise
- Partner rehab works
- Cedar Hill Café – food/meeting
- All the recreation centres – is like “one stop shopping” meaning there is so much offered through the recreation centres and some that are connected to Libraries and have cafes.
- Recreation and Leisure services define Saanich
- Partner with Cordorva Bay 55+
- Outdoor spaces
- Trails – like and use Mt. Tolmie and Feltham
- Gentle Walk and Talks walking group – really like them gets you out to different trails around Saanich – can go at your own pace and meet people
- Parks and Trails this group liked and used are: McMinn Park, Mt. Doug ( whole park including the beach area), Finnerty Gardens, Playfair Park
- Garden beds beautiful
- Connecting paths between communities
- Bike Trails
- Blenkinsop (Mt. Doug connector) – Blenkinsop bridge (connects to trails)
- Ease of access – connectivity
- Summer Concerts in parks
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What are some improvements that could be made to parks? - Improve signage in trails
- Need maintenance of vegetation (not complaint driven)
- Educational signs re: plants etc…
- Eco-system
- Lochside Trail winter maintenance (trail muddy for riding your bike)
- Trails not safe at night – suggestion solar lights?
- Trail too narrow in some places
- Washrooms needed ( many agreed)
- Drinking water stations along the trail
- Missing Trail – create or build a connector between Saanich Commonwealth Place to Beaver Elk Lake
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Recreation Improvement - Parking an issue at SCP – as sometimes when coming to a class all parking spots are full
- Need to work with Transit to decrease use of cars – transportation to and from Centre
- Bike routes are note safe to Commonwealth – especially coming from Broadmead
- Suggestion – shuttle from Broadmead (so as not to use a car)- coordinate with timing of programs – less car dependent
- Community gardens – need expanding, give information:
- Use raised beds
- Sheltered area to gather
- Fences
- Cross generations and culturs
- Toilets
- Accessibility
- Question 2: What do you think are the most important things that Saanich Parks and Recreation could contribute to older adults well-being?
- Integrate health and recreation
- Mixed neighbourhoods/spaces/diversity
- Blood pressure machine in centre ( like the ones you see in pharmacies)
- Island Health Authority programs available in recreation centres (partners) – rehab/education and wellness
- Use schools, churches move to run programs – available spaces in schools and churches for programs (eg Royal Oak Middle School)
- Partner with other facilities
- Spread out scheduling to use space efficiently
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Question 3: What word(s) would you like used for “older adult”? - Using “Senior” is ok
- Older Adult – seems very old
- Programs identified by age ie for 55+ or 50 and over, or 75+ etc…
- Good not to be segregated – want choice of age group to participate in programs with – focus on common interests,
- Not everything needs to be a program
- Programs described so can determine if appropriate level
- Active Living guide – gives information re: level of difficulty/intensity not just age
- need to bring people together to manage –like living with chronic pain/depression - often experience loneliness
- Many men are lonely and would benefit from connecting socially with other men or people.
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