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Park for all ages to be built in Central Point Gail Myers' dream of a park that caters to all ages is taking shape as an intergenerational play and exercise area, set to break ground in May in Central Point's Twin Creeks community. [Mail Tribune / Denise Baratta] Tuesday Apr 25, 2017 at 5:41 PM Apr 25, 2017 at 5:55 PM Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Work will begin in mid-May on an intergenerational park space in Central Point that will offer a play space for all ages. Organizers envision activities for young and old, side by side — toddlers on trikes, grade-schoolers on a play structure or spray park and seniors utilizing exercise stations along a series of pathways while watching the younger generation at play. A collaboration between Age-Friendly Innovators, a nonprofit founded in 2013 to help seniors find housing that encourages "aging in place," Twin Creeks Development LLC and the city of Central Point Parks and Recreation, the "all ages park" is a new but growing concept. Gail Myers, a resident who bought into the Twin Creeks neighborhood for the "mixed use, mixed house and mixed ages" approach to neighborhood living, said he looks forward to taking grandchildren to the future park. "The way it is now, when they come down here, my backyard is about 4 feet nothing. This park will be a dream. I can see myself with those kids over there doing all kinds of things," said the 94-year-old, noting that the current play areas for the neighborhood include bike rides on side streets and a smattering of empty lots. "When they visit, they want to get out of the house. I can't imagine anything more perfect than what is going to be built. When the grandkids come now, they've been using sidewalks and empty lots." Once the site of a farm operated by the Bohnert family, the planned 1.97-acre park is scheduled to break ground May 6 between North Haskell, Stone Pointe Drive, Buck Point and Rustler Peak. In a nod to its longtime roots as a family farm, the all-ages park will boast a country theme complete with a tractor or two and a barn-themed gathering space if funding allows. Concepts for the intergenerational play space range from a playground within ear shot of, perhaps, exercise stations, to encourage balance and mobility in seniors. Walking paths will be suited for scooter-bound seniors and toddlers or school children on bikes. Sharon D. Johnson, executive director and co-founder of Age Friendly Innovators, said the park would happen in phases. The groundbreaking, she noted, would include landscaping, pathways, trees, sprinkler systems and basic infrastructure. While the park won't be the first of its kind, Johnson said it will be unique in that it will encourage all ages to use common spaces and that city parks officials would encourage events and activities to get younger and older generations interacting. Johnson said she hoped the activity stations would provide bonding for children and grandparents but especially help reduce injuries in seniors, with a focus on strength, endurance, flexibility and balance. Developer Brett Moore said the park was a great fit for the Twin Creek neighborhood and the popular Life Long Housing concept being built within Twin Creeks. Started nearly two decades ago, the transit-focused development will eventually boast 400 single-family residences, a retirement “community” with 120 apartments and 19 cottages, and a nearby 62-unit affordable housing complex for older adults. Moore said the all-ages park would "fit right in with the entire concept of Twin Creeks and its mixed uses, mixed ages, mixed housing types." Planned features for the park include ADA-compliant benches, sidewalks, walkways and fall materials, LifeTrail Advanced Wellness System (exercise stations), a spray park, multi-height drinking fountains, sand-play area, tennis courts and a tai chi area. Two "Little Libraries," one for seniors and one for kids, have been built and will be situated in the park upon completion of phase one this summer. Looking at the empty lot from the sidewalk on a recent afternoon, Myers could only smile. "Intergenerational is exactly what's needed. Parents, grandparents and kids like to do different things, but they like to get time together outdoors," he said. "This will be a place for them to all enjoy the great outdoors together. It's going to be really great." For more information, see agefriendlyinnovators.org — Reach freelance writer Buffy Pollock at [email protected].