Summary of what people told us... |
Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee
Thursday, May 26th, 2016
A Parks, Trails & Recreation committee made up of public volunteers, Saanich Counsellor & staff
10 Participants
Take a bird’s eye view of Saanich Parks and Recreation five years from now. Imagine the best possible future for older adults in our community. What do you see?
What do you think might be the biggest challenges facing Saanich Parks and Recreation related to the needs of older adults in the future?
What opportunities related to supporting older adults socialization do you think Saanich Parks & Recreation should consider?
Saanich Parks & Recreation offers many programs and activities yet many are not involved. How do we engage people so they know about the opportunities?
Thursday, May 26th, 2016
A Parks, Trails & Recreation committee made up of public volunteers, Saanich Counsellor & staff
10 Participants
Take a bird’s eye view of Saanich Parks and Recreation five years from now. Imagine the best possible future for older adults in our community. What do you see?
- A 5 year view is not long enough – we should be looking 10 years + (said a few times)
- Getting to parks and recreation centers will be an issue for those who no longer drive. Perhaps programs need to be taken out into the community more.
- Saanich is blessed with the parks they have
- Have some ‘hubs’ or ‘mini-centers’ which have programs, which are out of the main recreation centers. Offer shuttles to programs or parks, encouraging those who are intimidated to participate in activities.
- Shared facilities with sports clubs, churches, and institutions so programs are offered in the individual communities. Like the ‘walk to school campaign – make it so people can ‘walk to their recreation programs’.
- Jump on trends early and spend the money to offer the opportunities early – for example Pickleball. “Get on to it with no fighting!”
- Continue to provide ‘mid-block’ walkway connections so it is easier to walk places – make more of an effort to map these connections so people know how to get around.
- Connected people [synergy] (e.g. sports clubs need volunteers and seniors who are able and willing to help, but currently they do not connect with each other).
- More washrooms in parks– we need more along the trails when hiking, cycling and walking.
- Maps of where public washrooms are in Saanich – so older adults can plan trips etc.
- Nature is important to people ‘nature bathing’ is a concept that has a premise that being out in nature has intrinsic health values.
- Keep people mobile by offering trails that are easy to walk on. Make sure all trails are cleared of trees and debris – even on the more challenging trails (e.g. Mount Doug).
- Passive recreation is important to offer – nature appreciation, plant ID, bird watching, and volunteering in parks (Pulling together). These opportunities are low cost, and restorative. Research at UVIC being done in the ‘Karma’ of natural restoration work being done in parks.
- Parks are cost effective
- Provide information specifically on walks/hikes that are easy and accessible for those who have mobility issues. – Or rate the trails (green, blue, black). Also provide information on how to get to those trails via bus or car (and include where to easily park car) Guide like CRD & Westshore produced
- More opportunities like that offered at Beckwith Park – where neighbourhood volunteers have helped with restoration and removal of invasive plant species.
- Offer more opportunities for volunteers to act as Ambassadors for the parks – provide funding for education and management of the program.
- Protect the parks and natural areas that we have – do not let them be chipped away. Continue to add green space.
- Ensure parks are financed to keep trails well maintained.
- Safety of trails is important – people must feel safe in order to use trails.
- Multi-use trails must be well managed as older adults can feel intimidated by fast cyclists
- When developing recreation centers we should be having an inside/outside approach – bring nature and parks inside such as Cardel Place in Calgary. http://www.dialogdesign.ca/projects/vivo/gallery/4/
- Look at all age groups—typically, the same trends apply (e.g. yoga), offer these ‘trendy programs’ for difference abilities with perhaps modifications for older adults.
- Financial aspect must be considered for older adults.
- Push our comfort zones – challenge us, do not program the same old thing – keep us healthy both mentally and physically.
- Focus used to be on children but approx. 10 years Saanich started to change the focus – we must continue to be on the forefront of trends and changes.
- Age and ability oriented programming – Beginner to Advanced, yet still some also want age segregation
- Really look at how programs are named and marketed to older adults
- Offer programs for likeminded people
- Virtual reality maybe a reality in 10 years --- so programing people in their homes via internet?
What do you think might be the biggest challenges facing Saanich Parks and Recreation related to the needs of older adults in the future?
- The wave of dementia is coming (as older adults age). Its already affecting us in the recreation centres.
- Some early retirees are familiar use private fitness facilities when working. They have continued to use them now they are retired. They are not currently using recreation centres. How do we reach these folks before they retire? Or, do we consider these private facilities as part of our community resources, partners?
- Many older adults are using parks, trails, fields, etc for their communities for cultural activities (e.g. Chinese older adults doing QiGong in Majestic Park)
- Being in nature is very important for all ages. We are taking my older mom out for a picnic in the park this weekend – loves passive outdoor activities, being in nature, watching all ages play in part, talking to others, etc. How can we facilitate more of this?
- Challenge will be the 70-80’s age group as their health starts to decline, their needs change (e.g. eye and physical exams for 80 year old, falls, surgeries, rehab, etc)
- Communication is a challenge – many older adults, especially plus 70yrs are not on computers, internet, social media, Facebook etc.
- What is Saanich’s capacity to serve this huge and growing segment of the population? Citizens are living longer lives. What is our ability to meet the demand?
- Cost – Seniors fees are subsidized. As many more customers move into the 60+ age bracket and qualify for seniors rate, more subsidy will be needed (presently comes from the Adult fees/passes). What will be the impact? A much larger population will need subsidization – could be a big challenge.
- Citizen expectations are higher nowadays for municipal services. Want hot showers, and everything working perfectly. It wasn’t like this when I was younger.
- Community Kitchens are unique socialization and nutrition options. Expand.
- More opportunities for intergenerational programs
- Funding for recreation – could there be a tax credit for adults to claim on taxes?
- Very broad band of older adult population and broad needs - in previous job, we broke this down into 3 different age categories.
- Target programs/services closer to home, more like satellite programs, in community/private facilities. This will help address the transportation issues for many.
- Many older adults wish to be integrated (intergenerational opportunities), while other wish to be specifically with older adults. We need to continue to offer the widest range of options possible.
- The role of socialization at coffee shops like Tim Hortons and Starbucks should be celebrated/recognized for their tremendous socialization opportunities. Some older adults meet friends 1-3x/day, at different spots.
- Older Adults are a big group, and a growing upper end of age – we need to explore opportunities outside the box (read: outside the recreation centre model). Consider a partnership approach – private, entrepreneurial, community halls, sports facilities (e.g. new Prospect Lake Soccer Clubhouse which likely sits empty a large part of the day). New opportunities: Ambassador Park
- Parks and Recreation to be recognized as part of the solution for health care – taking a preventative approach. Connect with Island Health.
- Ensure there are accessible, tables, washrooms, etc in parks. Once in place, promote effectively.
- Many older adults want a paper copy (promotions), use Saanich News ads. Not everyone on computers/internet/social media.
- Like the new website and enewsletter option where citizens can sign up for specific interests, which generates automatic emails into their inbox.
- Can we communicate through water bill mail outs?
- Can we interact/engage for the Older Adult Strategy in the municipal hall during the upcoming municipal taxes payment time?
- Thrifty Foods Sen-dial program (home delivery of groceries) is a very successful initiative – examine why is this so successful?
- Need to ensure that specialized/high-cost projects (e.g. waterslide in pool) are meeting a majority of populations.
- Need to continue to invest in the infrastructure and maintenance of our recreation and parks facilities.
- Invest in partnerships and using others’ facilities (private, public and non-profit) – i.e. move programs into seniors housing. Good examples are school use (although specific challenges with school districts) at Cordova Bay 55+/CB Elementary School and Colquitz Middle School
- Tap into boomers as volunteers – leverage their time and skills
- Forge partnerships and offer programs in other community-based locations. (e.g., offer community programs at Broadmead Lodge – where non-residents and residents could take programs together, offer programs in the sports buildings in the parks, which are often underutilized). Perhaps offer bus tours to various parks. (said a few times)
What opportunities related to supporting older adults socialization do you think Saanich Parks & Recreation should consider?
- Transportation is important, might be limiting
- Provide places to sit and talk
- Parks are part of the community and offer gathering space
- Walking dogs offer social contact
- Build “village” activity centres
- Explore using other buildings in community that could be shared, & used for seniors community centres, example: sports clubhouse that are empty during the day
- There are Jr seniors and Sr seniors – oldest of old require special help, assistance to use recreation centres
- Develop partnerships with seniors residences
- Go to them with programs – Berwick House
- Develop program for newcomers – like New Comers club
- Give info to realtors – free passes they can give to new residents
- Build connections in classes, not just a program but connect people
Saanich Parks & Recreation offers many programs and activities yet many are not involved. How do we engage people so they know about the opportunities?
- Abilities are more important than age
- Are there buildings where we could partner organizations and offer programs
- Some retirement homes have empty rooms in the evenings
- There are natural gathering areas like Tim Horton’s & Starbucks
- Would be nice for front desk to say “hi” before I have to
- Greeters like Walmart in front reception
- Need greeters to make someone feel welcome, not necessarily staff – volunteers?
- Clear way finding in parks and centres – trail map and building maps
- Centres can be intimidating
- People who aren’t used to be with others and socializing find it overwhelming
- Programs on weekends, not everyone have things to do on weekends