'Senior Playground' in Hyde Park in London - pics

[Kadie]

Winston Fletcher (2nd L) uses an exercise machine alongside other elderly participants during the official opening of the first pensioners' playground in Hyde Park in London on May 19, 2010. The outdoor facility features fun fitness equipment that offers a range of exercises to improve strength and flexibility and help adults continue active and healthy lifestyles in later years. Play areas for older people are popular in China and parts of Europe, but this is the first of its kind in London.


LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Pensioners exercise in London's first purpose built 'Senior Playground' in Hyde Park on May 19, 2010 in London, England. The playground, which cost 50,000 GBP, features six machines: a cross-trainer, sit-up bench, body-flexer, free runner, flex wheel and an exercise bike.


Pensioners Horton Kennedy, 81, left and Eve Margolis, 79 enjoy a piece of equipment in London's first pensioners' playground in Hyde Park, London, Wednesday, May 19, 2010. The outdoor facility features keep-fit equipment to help adults in their later years to keep fit and improve strength and flexibility.


Elderly people exercise during the opening of the first dedicated 'pensioners' playground' at Hyde Park in London, May 19, 2010. The outdoor facility, which has been funded in partnership by Westminster Council and The Royal Parks, will feature fun fitness equipment designed specifically to provide gentle exercise for the over-60s.


Ronald Woolf, 84 swaps his mobility scooter to try a new exercise machine following the official opening of the first pensioners' playground in Hyde Park in London on May 19, 2010. The outdoor facility features fun fitness equipment that offers a range of exercises to improve strength and flexibility and help adults continue active and healthy lifestyles in later years. Play areas for older people are popular in China and parts of Europe, but this is the first of its kind in London.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. That is so cool, and so smart!!!! Hope it starts a trend that reaches the US

[Tracer]

30. Well, it sort of has.

There's a soccer field and children's playground a couple of blocks from my house.

There's also a new section with exercise equipment similar to what's shown in these photos.

However, I've never seen a senior (or anyone else, other than some random kids) using the equipment.

[Greyskye]

2. Brilliant!

:thumbsup:

[DJ13]

3. Wheres the slide?!

Looks like a good idea, thanks for posting that.

[dana_b]

4. too cool!!

we need those too except "pensioner's playground"? Ours would have to be called "Walmart greeter's playgrounds".

[janx]

5. Very good idea--

low impact exercise for those over 60, and outside, no less!

But..."play area" ?

[southern_belle]

6. Love it! n/t

[Arugula Latte]

7. Looks like these older Brits still dress like proper adults -- no sweats & sneakers for them!

I guess that kind of outfit "just wouldn't do." :)

[HipChick]

The weather...

its the kind that seeps into your joints..

[Arugula Latte]

11. I hear ya.

I live in Oregon, USA and we get a lot of weather that is not extremely cold (maybe 50 degrees F) but the damp plus that gets into the bones. However, to me that is just an excuse to wear fleece, not tweed! :)

[Raine]

33. I noticed that too

they look so nice. :-)

[harmonicon]

38. it's not just older brits

My girlfriend, who's British, came home with me for Christmas last year and was amazed by what people wear outside of the house in the US. Namely, sweatpants, and teenage girls in slippers.

[LibDemAlways]

40. I routinely see teenage girls wearing pajama bottoms.

I had to stop my own teen from wearing slippers to school. The last time I took her clothes shopping she wanted to buy stone washed jean shorts that were pre-ripped. They looked like something ready to be thrown out. Awful.

[harmonicon]

46. I'm not one to talk

In grad school, a friend described my dress as "hobo-chic". If it weren't for my mother and girlfriends I'd still be wearing (more of) my clothes from the 90's (and even a few choice 80's t-shirts), holes and tears be damned! I realized this might be a problem when I was trying to ask someone for directions and he assumed I was a bum asking for a hand-out. At least the few times a decade that I do buy clothes I make sure they don't already have holes in them.

[slipslidingaway]

8. Great idea! n/t

[tinymontgomery]

9. If I remember my history right

there have have been some great concerts in Hyde park.

[City Lights]

10. Cool!

:thumbsup: Very, very cool! :thumbsup:

[L0oniX]

12. All ya need is a little piped in death metal music.

[devilgrrl]

13. No swings - wtf?

:wtf:

Hey! If make it to that age I want swings!!! :mad:

[inna]

14. Remember guys - the UK still has strong social safety net and cares about the seniors and the poor.

The US, not so much.

[LibDemAlways]

26. You've got that right. In the US these days the corporation lays you off before

social security kicks in. With no income and no medical benefits, you're better off dead. The last thing the government would ever do is provide recreational opportunities. Ever read Lois Lowry's "The Giver"? That's where we're headed.

Stayed with a retired couple in London two years ago who rent out a spare room as a B and B. They explained all the perks seniors enjoy including free public transportation. I know for sure I was born in the wrong country.

[marions ghost]

36. It's happened to two of my family members since 2008,

laid off. Getting kinda like China, where you "timeout" at a certain age. You're washed up at 50-55 and go on government pension. But here in Murka, there's a big gap there...all the better to save the government money, which is every politician's aim.

Yep, seniors in many other countries have it much better these days.

[LibDemAlways]

39. My husband is 59. He was laid off in January. We have

a teenage daughter who will be staring college next fall. Who knows how much of our savings will be eaten up by then. Husband is a senior experienced software engineer. He attended one job fair where the recruiter came right out and told him he's too old. That was a big blow. He's trying to get contracting/consulting work. No luck there either.

When I'm out during the day I see lots of men in their 50's who should be working but aren't. It's a national disgrace.

[marions ghost]

43. I know what you say is true. I see it too.

:hug: No platitudes from me. "A national disgrace" says it all. :grr:

They ran the economy into the ditch, and walked away. And "they" is a lot of people.

[The Wizard]

15. If we tried that here

teabaggers would say it's a government trap to get seniors in one place to sign them up for death panels.

[Patiod]

27. The townships would be too afraid to be sued

One complaint from one person with a muscle ache, and it would be shut down

[lillypaddle]

16. Way too cool!

I love it, and I want one here. What a great idea, for any age, really.

[malaise]

17. Fabulous

Very cool

[OneGrassRoot]

18. Love this, love this, love this! :) K&R n/t

[freeplessinseattle]

19. That is just so neat! warms my heart this blustery Seattle am

If we had something like that here I know my Opa would be taking full advantage.

[butterfly77]

20. We are so far behind ..

on so many issues because everytime the CONS get in office they do nothing because they are still living in the past..

[ThatsMyBarack]

21. Looks like fun!

:bounce:

[ellie]

22. That is very awesome!

[madokie]

23. Way cool

considering I'm not too far removed from those days myself.

[marmar]

24. Awesome.....I Luv Hyde Park.

[redqueen]

25. What a great idea.

I've seen groups of people doing Tai Chi in China, which is wonderful, but I haven't ever seen playgrounds like these. I hope the idea catches on elsewhere too.

[marions ghost]

28. It wouldn't be free

America really doesn't invest in the health of ordinary citizens.

[valerief]

32. America doesn't invest in ordinary citizens period. nt

[xxqqqzme]

29. I want one

in my neighborhood park! Just recently I was wondering if the exercise courses are still set up in parks. I remember they were very popular about 10/12 years ago.

[valerief]

31. Damn, I wish I lived in a socialized country!!!! Way cool. nt

[Sebastian Doyle]

34. You gotta wonder, how many of these old folks were also in Hyde Park

for that Stones concert 41 years ago (the one that ended up being a Brian Jones memorial, though it was planned long before his death)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzAEtLPSzRg

[Cleita]

35. What happens when one of them gets injured?

Oh, I forgot. They have socialized medicine.

[Kerrytravelers]

37. They sure take care of their people. Wonder what that's like?

[harmonicon]

41. oh, man - I want this!

Can't they also build a playground for people in their 30's?

[kurtzapril4]

42. What a great idea!

I want one in my neighborhood...they just built an old folks home down the street.

[Cass]

44. This is so great! I'd love to see these over here. nt

[pasto76]

45. that dude with the pony tail is going to sue them for stelaing his Gazelle!