Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
October 29, 2014

Building Age-Friendly Spaces in Communities

New Clarenville Park Has Something to Offer People of all Ages

An age-friendly park, complete with walking trails, benches, green spaces, gazebos, a tobogganing hill, and a community garden was officially opened in Clarenville today as the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, joined the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Finance and MHA for Trinity North, and community leaders and partners, to mark the completion of a project three years in the making.

“The Clarenville Age-Friendly Park is just that – a park that has something to offer younger and older alike in the Clarenville area. Its official opening today is an example of true co-operation between provincial and municipal levels of government, the Random Age-Friendly Community Board, and local community partners to create a space where residents and visitors can engage in recreational activities, or just relax in an environment that is designed to appeal to all ages.”
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Minister Jackman noted the newly-established Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development was created, in part, to bring more focus to government-wide efforts to promote physical activity and wellness initiatives that are inclusive to citizens of all ages.

“This park is a welcome addition to the Town of Clarenville and part of a larger effort to build age-friendly buildings and spaces throughout our community, and indeed throughout this province, the country and the world. The Provincial Government has been involved throughout the planning and construction process, and I am proud to be here today to witness the official opening of this park, which will no doubt serve area residents for many years to come.”
- The Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board and MHA for Trinity North

The World Health Organization's Age-Friendly Communities Program is an international effort to address the environmental and social factors that contribute to active and healthy aging. The program helps communities become more supportive of older people by addressing their needs across eight dimensions: the built environment, transport, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication, and community support and health services.

“The Town of Clarenville has been onboard with the concept of building an age-friendly community since day one. We were committed to finding a space for the Clarenville Age-Friendly Park which suited the needs of all citizens, and with the location on Hibernia Drive, we have a space that is near to both Clarenville High School and a seniors' housing complex, and is easily accessible to all residents.”
- Frazer Russell, Mayor of Clarenville

The Random Age-Friendly Communities (RAFC) Board was created in 2007 when the Town of Clarenville was designated one of the 10 communities in Canada to pilot an Age-Friendly Rural and Remote Communities project. Since then, RAFC has contributed to healthy aging in Clarenville in several ways, including involvement in the creation of the Clarenville Age-Friendly Park; seniors computer classes in partnership with College of the North Atlantic, which has graduated over 200 seniors; seniors information sessions; a seniors fair; and GATHER, a seniors group that focuses on wellness and social inclusion.

The Provincial Government has contributed $90,000 to the Random Age-Friendly Communities Board over the past several years to support wellness and age-friendly initiatives, including the Clarenville Age-Friendly Park.

“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is to be commended for the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Grant Program. It provides the opportunity for provincial and municipal governments to put a specific focus on the changing needs of an ever-increasing aging demographic in our province, while also addressing the needs of our youth. The age-friendly communities model recognizes that what is good for older adults is also good for a young parent with a baby stroller.”
- Leo Bonnell, Vice-Chair, Random Age-Friendly Communities Board

For more information on the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Grants Program, visit: www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/grantsfunding/age_friendly.html.

QUICK FACTS

• An age-friendly park, complete with walking trails, benches, green spaces, gazebos, a tobogganing hill, and a community garden was officially opened in Clarenville today by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development.
• The Clarenville Age-Friendly Park is a joint project, supported by the provincial and municipal levels of government, the Random Age-Friendly Community Board, and local community partners.
• It was established to create a space where residents and visitors can engage in recreational activities, or just relax in an environment that is designed to appeal to all ages.
• The newly-established Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development was created, in part, to bring more focus to government-wide efforts to promote physical activity and wellness initiatives that are inclusive to citizens of all ages.

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2014 10 29                                        2:05 p.m.