AusLeisure

Sydney’s active older residents are in for a culture boost with a free after-dark, guided walking tour of this year’s Vivid displays.

The City of Sydney-supported walking tour follows the inaugural After Dinner Walking Group tour of Walsh Bay, which proved the city can be both exciting and safe at night for an older generation.

The walking group participants are already eager to sign-up for the next tour of Vivid on Tuesday 27th May, to see the unique annual event of light and music that illuminates Sydney’s iconic architecture, including the Harbour Bridge and the sails of Sydney Opera House.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the new senior’s night-time walking group was all about encouraging older residents to lead a healthier lifestyle, no matter the time of day or night.

Lord Mayor Moore stated “senior life shouldn’t just be about nine to five activities – it’s about having a great time at all hours.

“We want to open up Sydney for our older residents and encourage their desire to stay fit and active.”

The original concept for the After Dinner Walking Group project was inspired by the OPEN Sydney night-time economy strategy and Action Plan 2013-2030.

By 2030, the City hopes the night-time economy will see 40% of people using the City at night being over 40, and that 40% of operating businesses at this time will be shops.

While anyone can join the new walking group, it is targeted at Sydney residents aged over 55 and aims to bring together like-minded people who are already active and want to stay fit by walking and exploring Sydney’s outdoor attractions.

The Australian Medical Association of NSW is also supporting the walking group initiative. Vice President Dr Saxon Smith said it was great to see an initiative that encouraged enjoyable ways of keeping fit.

Dr Smith added “with sedentary lifestyles on the rise, this new walking group will engage the local community and improve the health of elderly participants.

“This will also serve as a great example to younger generations and encourage them to break the habit of reaching for the remote control by going for a walk instead.”

The After Dinner Walking Group is part of the City of Sydney’s aim to encourage walking for the benefits it brings to individuals and the community. To increase walking levels, the City aims to ensure walking is a pleasurable, rewarding and practical way of moving through Sydney’s streets.

Lord Mayor Moore concluded “our residents have told us that while we offer a fantastic program of activities and events for older people at our various community centres during the day time, but there needs to be more on offer for older people after dark.

“We developed a specific action plan to increase options for evening activities within the City’s own programs, especially to link with the many festivals and events that lend themselves to an evening outing.

“We’re also conscious that a lot of our older residents live alone, and that there is a perception that the City isn’t a safe place to walk around in at night.

“So we teamed up with our road safety colleagues and came up with the idea to launch a ‘safe seniors’ night walk, where we lead a group of older people on a guided educational walk around the City, teaching them tips about staying safe when out and about after dark, and ending the evening in a setting where they can socialise and hopefully make new friends.

“Judging by the overwhelming response to the first Walsh Bay walk, Sydney’s older walkers relish the opportunity to get active and really enjoy the city together when the sun goes down.”

In October this year, the City of Sydney and the NSW Government will co-host the Walk21 Conference – the world’s leading international conference on walking involving health, design and planning experts from around the globe.

The Walk21 Conference is being held at Luna Park Sydney from 21st to 23rd October 2014. Click here for details.

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