You're never too old to play in Killarney

You're never too old to play in Killarney

Wednesday November 05 2008
KILLARNEY Town Council is considering building a playground for the elderly with massage and cycling machines. Town Clerk Michael O'Leary said that the council is genuinely considering the idea after Cllr Tom Doherty moved motion on the idea of a senior citizen's playground.
"I've seen senior citizens' playgrounds in Europe, an area of their own where they can hang out with their peers. This is something we could copy here," Cllr Doherty told a meeting of Killarney Town Council.
" Our senior citizens helped build Killarney and this proposal would lead to longevity in physical and mental health," he added.
Killarney Town Clerk Michael O'Leary said that the council is genuinely considering the idea.
If the proposal ever comes to fruition, Killarney will not be the first to adopt the idea. Such a facility is already in place in Navan, County Meath, the brainchild of Summerhill Active Retirement Group.
Instead of roundabouts and slides, a senior citizen's playground typically consists of machines that would be specially designed to provide gentle exercise for hips, legs and torso.
Speaking to The Kerryman on Tuesday, Age Action Ireland spokesperson Gerard Scully said he was delighted that the proposal was actively being considered in Killarney.
"It is a great idea and it's somewhere for older people to go. I would fully recommend one."
Several councillors were in agreement with Cllr Doherty's proposal on Monday evening.

The Kerryman newspaper