Parks and Recreation Program Focuses on Senior Health

The City of Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Department is partnering with Country Gardens Dunwoody to support residents’ physical and mental health.

Dunwoody, GA – April 22, 2020 – The City of Dunwoody Parks & Recreation Department is developing special physical and mental health programming in May for residents of Country Gardens Dunwoody and other seniors. May 27 is recognized as National Senior Health & Fitness Day.

“We were originally planning in-person programs for our seniors but had to make adjustments based on new social distancing guidelines,” said Dunwoody Recreation Supervisor Rachel Waldron. “The COVID-19 crisis is especially difficult for older residents, who are more vulnerable. We want them to know we’re here for them.”

Country Gardens Dunwoody is the first senior living center to sign on as a partner in the program. To support physical health, Dunwoody Recreation Program Leader Kate Borden will stream chair exercise classes via Zoom once a week through the end of May. The exercise class will be recorded and shared on the parks department’s Facebook and Instagram accounts to make them available to other seniors. Classes will be 30 minutes long and focus on stretching, stability and movement. All exercises can be done while sitting on or standing behind a chair.

To support mental health, Dunwoody’s parks team is encouraging new connections by asking members of the community to serve as pen pals for about 20 Country Garden residents. Interested families or individuals can sign up by sending an email to parks@dunwoodyga.gov. The parks team will provide a name and conversation starters to begin writing by May 1.

“Our residents and family members are really feeling the impact of the current state of affairs,” said Ciera Witcher, activity director at Country Gardens Dunwoody. “We thank Dunwoody Parks & Recreation for being so considerate to our residents during this time.”

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For more information regarding the City of Dunwoody, please contact Jennifer Boettcher, Communications Director: 678.382.6881, Jennifer.Boettcher@dunwoodyga.gov.

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