Marysville Care Center mobility park dedicated

MARYSVILLE — Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring and City Council members joined with Marysville Care Center workers and residents to cut the ribbon dedicating a new outdoor mobility park at the center on Aug. 25.

The park is designed to re-create the conditions and terrain that seniors and disabled residents experience in their everyday lives. Its features include a large gazebo and outdoor walking areas consisting of different types of surfaces — such as curbs, steps, ramps, cobblestone walkways, gravel and bark — that elderly and handicapped individuals deal with on a daily basis.

The center has also installed a shuffleboard court, putting green and basketball hoop to incorporate fun into the mobility area. Because the mobility area is outdoors, weather conditions make the experience all the more real for individuals undergoing physical therapy, as opposed to indoor physical therapy training.

"This mobility park is an impressive achievement, and it fits in perfectly with our Healthy Communities goals to promote walking and mobility across all ages," Nehring said at the dedication. "The park helps this rehabilitation unit in its work to help seniors regain strength and get back on the road to recovery after serious illness or trauma. It also gives residents a variety of different walking terrains to match real-life conditions around our community."

Nehring added that senior citizens make up about 15 percent of Marysville's population, as they contribute to the community, shop, visit parks, worship in local churches and engage in other activities, so mobility is important to maintaining their quality of life. He thanked the Marysville Care Center for creating an active environment for senior and disabled residents.

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