A Breath of Fresh Air for Seniors
July 4, 2024 | Events, General, Health & Wellness
Enjoy the parks the the Emerald city has to offer
There’s a reason Seattle is nicknamed the Emerald City: lush greenery is found throughout the city during the entire year. This renowned natural beauty is in great part due to Seattle’s abundant local parks. With over 400 green spaces, the city offers an incredible variety of outdoor spots for residents and visitors alike to explore. From Discovery Park, which offers spectacular views of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges, to Kubota Garden, which combines Japanese garden concepts with native Northwest plants, there’s no shortage of places to enjoy the great outdoors. But parks are more than just scenic spots, they are gateways to better mental and physical health, especially for seniors.
The healing power of nature
Urban greenery is incredibly beneficial. Studies have found that spending time in green spaces can reduce stress, improve mood, and even boost the immune system. Natural environments can also improve working memory, cognitive flexibility, and focus. Remarkably, feeling connected to nature can produce well-being, regardless of how much time is spent outdoors.
For seniors specifically, parks can be key to aging well and a higher quality of life. Research has found that targeted nature programs for older adults can help maintain healthy sleep patterns, reduce anxiety, increase happiness, and promote purpose in life. Seniors who go outside also get more physical activity which can prevent or delay many health problems that come with age, leading to day-to-day independence.
And local parks provide free, appropriate health options for older adults. Walking in the park, for instance, is a low-impact exercise that’s easy on the joints but great for maintaining mobility and strength. Volunteering in a community garden can improve dexterity while reducing dementia risk. In fact, simply sitting and enjoying the beauty of nature promotes relaxation and lowers blood pressure.
Our commitment to outdoor wellness
At Kline Galland, we understand the profound impact that nature can have on our well-being. That’s why we are proud to support and enhance our community’s access to outdoor spaces. In 2022, we partnered with the University of Washington’s Architecture program to build the Marty Bender Family
Garden, a therapeutic courtyard garden. The nearly 3,000 square foot space features accessible paths, sensory-stimulating plants, and comfortable seating areas. The garden is designed to meet the residents’ needs but also foster intergenerational connections as a place for community, gathering, respite, and connection. The collaboration with UW Architecture ensured that the garden not only meets high standards of design and accessibility but also serves as a model for therapeutic spaces nationwide.
July is National Parks and Recreation Month and a chance to promote why they are important. Parks offer more than just a place to visit—they provide a sense of community. For Seattle seniors, the city’s commitment to preserving natural beauty means promoting public health. Everyone deserves access to the physical and mental benefits of the great outdoors. We invite you to take a walk in the park, join a gardening session, or come sit in our Marty Bender Family Garden. In the Emerald City, nature’s healing touch is all around.
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Sources: APA; Nature; Penn State; NIH; CDC; The Daily Journal of Commerce
