Finding the Right Park for You: When Mobility is a Concern

Exercising and being able to walk the local park is a great way to maintain your health and wellbeing.  Despite it being a great activity there can sometimes be some hesitancy especially when considering mobility and safety. Here are some ideas that can help one feel prepared and secure when choosing a place to walk or exercise at.

Distance

Distance to the park or gym is important to consider. The closer you are to your destination the easier it will be to travel to. Transportation can be difficult for some people, so the closer the park or gym is, the better it may be.

Restrooms

Be sure to consider where the restrooms are, how many, and if they are accessible. It’s a perfectly natural part of the day to need to go to the restroom, and being unable to use the restroom can definitely affect our motivation and ability to enjoy the park.

Terrain

What kind of flooring and terrain is the park? Are there hills? If you use a mobility aid such as a wheelchair or a walker will the terrain allow you to move as easily as you would like? It is important to be aware of your own mobility and safety.

Rest Areas

Take note of where the rest areas are, and how far apart they can be. When we have limited mobility, health concerns, or just generally get tired easily it is important we take time to rest as needed, and so this can be a safety concern if there are limited. It may even be more helpful to consider what kind of sitting areas are available such as if they have back support or if they are well maintained.  

Bring a Friend

Having a friend or someone who is able to support and help you feel comfortable is another things to consider. If you find yourself having difficulty or needing help it is sometimes easier asking someone we know and trust instead of a stranger. If you are a carepartner and you are concerned on taking up the challenge of caring for your loved one with specific needs alone in the public having someone else to accompany you can also be very helpful.

Park Safety

Each park is very different and some may be better maintained than others. Some people avoid certain parks because dogs may be loose whether they are neighborhood dogs or just without a leash by the owner. Sometimes the walking path may be along a busy street or area leading to a lot of congestion and/or noise.

Exercising and being able to leave one's home is a great way to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes our own concerns about our mobility or the mobility of our loved ones can stop us from leaving the home or being consistent. Keeping these tips in mind along with any other personal preferences and considerations is a good way to move forward when choosing a good park or area to exercise. The key thing to remember, don’t let you mobility or fear prevent you from living the life you want. Many parks are accessible and accommodating, but even if they aren’t a little preparedness can really go a long way.