Outdoor gym
A movement course ( seniors playground, multi-generation space or movement park, sometimes each also with the suffix for the elderly or for all generations) is a recreational facilities, including elements of a jogging path ( Switzerland: Vitaparcours ) and playground. The systems are often designed in the form of several coordinated installations in public space and complement as an integral part of parks or green spaces that other public recreational activities. They are specifically geared towards activities of older people with appropriately designed game or exercise equipment.
Term discussion
The originally dominant term " seniors playground" is now often used only as a working title, as this association with sandbox or slide to be awakened and the term is therefore often not considered value-neutral. However, this concept illustrates the idea to equip a defined area in a public space with wheelchair accessible exercise equipment for active leisure, by comparison with a children's playground particularly well. There are other names for it, such as senior citizens' activities Square, motion court, motion trails ( for seniors / multigenerational ). These names reflect the developments into account that even grandchildren or middle-aged people are in their leisure activities there using existing services and also use.
Origin
The idea of an opportunity to exercise in giving older people in public spaces, exists in China for some time. There have been set up in the outdoor area for adults to encourage them to work together to train their body in the spirit of traditional Chinese medicine for over 20 years before moving systems ( " fitness parks "). In particular, older people were interested in the various sports and relaxation offer. Meanwhile, these parks are in China established the cityscape. Here visitors of all ages meet for sporty and playful activity.
Dissemination and Concepts in Germany
This concept came in the late 1990s to Germany. In 1999, the first German system of an elderly playground opened in Lower Saxony Schoningen its doors. This was followed by, among others more places in Berlin ( Prussia Park ) and Nuremberg, some with other names (Action course or " Garden of the generations "). Meanwhile in almost all major German cities on the construction of movement places which are specifically appeal to seniors, thought, including in Hamburg and Munich.
The concept of a senior citizen 's playground consists of motor fitness activities in outdoor installations, taking account of the specific skills and deficits of the elderly. The offer includes therefore specially designed sports and exercise equipment for example for leg training or the equilibrium training. There are also various opportunities such as bocce or chess boxes. The individual sports facilities and offers of the park vary greatly. Consideration is given to the location of the plant as in the catchment area of a senior citizen center (possibly on private property ), in a hospital, in the city center or in a park ( Kurpark also a health resort ). Some facilities are combined with children's playgrounds.
Seniors play spaces are available opposite the offer of sports clubs or community colleges sports and fitness activities for seniors that take place mostly in sports halls and rarely can be visited free of charge and spontaneous. In addition, there are many plants that are more than meeting fitness facility. They also offer a shady resting places outdoors, for example, a boules court and outdoor chess (see image Puiseauxplatz in Rodgau ).
City governments are trying to meet the rising importance of things to do for seniors through the establishment of seniors playgrounds bill. Similar to the multi-generation house are also encouraged by the seniors playgrounds intergenerational activities and additional meeting places for young and old to be created.