By Denis Gibbons
October 2nd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The gorgeous waterfront setting of Burloak Park now is the home of Burlington’s first Seniors’ Exercise & Social Space.
A band was on hand to celebrate the opening of the Seniors Exercise space in Burloak Park. The band is reported to have been paid for by the ward Councillor – Paul Sharman. Photos by DENIS GIBBONS
Equipped with several work stations compatible with safe workouts for seniors, the space was donated to the City by Burlington Seniors Centre Inc., a non-profit group.
Mayor Meed Ward does the unveiling of the plaque that explains why this equipment was put in the Burloak par. Tucked behind the sign is Connie Price, the woman who would not give until the city came up with space for the equipment to be placed. Fred Hendriks, president of Burlington Seniors Centre Inc. stands watching
Connie Price, treasurer and seniors equipment chair, was the sparkplug behind raising $50,000 for the new park.
“I am so concerned that after COVID we are going to have a community of seniors who are more frail,” Price said at Thursday’s official opening. “Now they can get out and use this, even just to socialize which is so important to them.”
Fred Hendriks, president of Burlington Seniors’ Centre Inc., said the project took three-and-a-half years to complete. He said the committee looked all over Burlington for a location.
“We finally found this gem right here,” he said. “And we did it in the colors of the BSCI (blue and green).”
Halton Region Chair Gary Carr said the Halton Board of Health has made an effort to get people of all ages to be active and stay healthy.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said the park is a good example of what happens when people are persistent with their dreams and don’t give up.
“When we do right by our seniors, we benefit our whole community,” the mayor said.
Related article:
The story behind the gift of exercise equipment to the city.
