BCH Community Partnership: Erie Parks & Recreation
The following is a guest blog by Cindy Hickman, CPRP, Recreation Coordinator of the Erie Parks and Recreation Department’s Active Adults Program.
Erie Active Adult Program
The Erie Parks and Recreation Department’s Active Adult program offers activities for Erie and surrounding residents who are 60 years of age and better and serves over 3000 active adults. Housed out of the Erie Community Center, the Erie Active Adult program has been serving the community for over 12 years.
The Erie Active Adult program partners with several organizations and one of the most successful and beneficial partnerships has been with Boulder Community Health. This partnership began several years ago and continues to grow. BCH provides all the speakers for the educational presentations at the lunch program. Also, once a year the Active Adults program and BCH work together to offer education to the older adults for Falls Prevention week in September. Other successful programs in partnership with BCH include Active Living Every Day and Meditation Classes taught by Joan DePuy, RN, BSN, Trauma Outreach & Injury Prevention Coordinator.
Keeping adults engaged and active
The Active Adult program offers a Senior Nutrition Lunch program which is provided by the Weld County Area Agency on Aging. This lunch program provides nutritious and delicious lunches every Thursday at the Erie Community Center. Participants, ages 60 and better, can contribute towards their meal. Free entertainment and educational presentations are provided, and all are welcome. Currently, the lunch program is offered as a curbside lunch pick up.
The Erie Active Adult program also coordinates a community resource program, which is available for any Erie resident, 60 years of age and better. The resource program provides information and referrals, connecting individuals to local resources such as financial assistance, housing needs or medical equipment.
The Active Adult program provides approximately 50-day trips along the Front Range and into the mountains each year. The places and activities may be educational, entertaining, interactive or all of the above. There is also an increasingly popular extended travel program that offers domestic and international trips.
A variety of general interest classes are available. Topics include arts and creative pursuits, humanities, culture, health and wellness, history and more. There are also fitness, health and wellness programs available. These include multiple classes and workshops for older adults to help them take control of their health and remain active in both the community and home. Currently, the program is offering both in-person and virtual fitness classes.
Special events are a large attraction. There are a variety of insightful, entertaining, and intriguing events offered throughout the year, during the day and evenings.
Drop-in programs, such as cards, painting or needlework are offered to fill the needs of those who hold the same interests. These programs are primarily led by participants and are usually a direct response to a participant request.
Lastly, there are volunteer opportunities for those that love to serve and give back to their community.
You can visit the Erie Parks and Recreation web page for more detailed information about the Active Adults program.
For a complete up-to-date listing of the Erie Active Adult programs, and to register for programs, please visit Amilia.com.