Senior-focused, 11-event series launches on Belle Isle this summer

Belle Isle

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The Department of Natural Resources is sharing this news release, issued earlier this week by Berg Muirhead and Associates:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2015

Contact: Shanel Adams (Berg Muirhead and Associates), 313-872-2202 or 313-663-7302


Senior-focused, 11-event series launches on Belle Isle this summer 

Senior Power Days on Belle Isle today announced a new program that will provide a series of recreational and educational programs on the island throughout 2015 for thousands of seniors from Detroit including Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. The presenting sponsor for these events on the 982-acre park is the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which assumed management of the island in 2013 as it became a state park.

Each event in the 11-event series will be held on a Wednesday on Belle Isle beginning July 8, 2015, with the final event December 16. The series will include both informational and recreational events for seniors from throughout the tri-county area. The sessions will cover a wide array of topics ranging from senior safety, to health concerns, veterans issues, jazz concerts and faith-based activities.

Senior Power Days on Belle Isle is collaborating with a variety of senior organizations at the state and tri–county level who have committed to helping ensure seniors are aware and participate in these programs. The agencies include the Aging and Adult Services Agency within Michigan Department of Health and Human, Detroit Area Agency on Aging, Area Agency on Aging 1-B, Area Agency on Aging 1-C, American House Senior Living Communities, Presbyterian Villages of Michigan, Wayne State Institute of Gerontology (IOG), City of Detroit, and Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). These agencies will provide outreach support to ensure seniors throughout this region are informed about this event series on Belle Isle.

The first 500 participants at the July 8 inaugural event will receive a Recreation Passport allowing access to all state parks, including Belle Isle, courtesy of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.

“Senior Power Days will provide plenty of great opportunities for seniors to learn about important and entertaining topics that can enhance their quality of life,” said Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. “I’m pleased that the Department of Natural Resources – in partnership with the city of Detroit and many supporting agencies and volunteers – has completed so many vital improvements to this beloved island park. Belle Isle provides the perfect backdrop for Detroit-area seniors to get outdoors, spend time with friends, and pick up some valuable information.”

DNR Chief of Parks and Recreation Ron Olson said, “These programs will connect area seniors to additional information and activities and introduce them to the many revitalization efforts taking place on the island. This is another great opportunity for seniors to enjoy Belle Isle.”

Through a lease agreement with the city of Detroit, which retains ownership of the park, the DNR assumed park management in February 2014. Revitalization efforts began immediately, with restored and reopened restrooms, hazardous tree removal, playground repairs, daily operation of the James Scott Memorial Fountain and so much more. In addition to an improved atmosphere, Belle Isle has increased vendors, sporting activities and use of rental facilities.

“As a longtime senior advocate, I know the impact of both recreational and informational activities on the lives of seniors,” said Stephanie Donaldson, spokesperson of Senior Power Days and DNR employee. “Senior Power Days on Belle Isle provides free programming to seniors across the tri-county area that will enhance their understanding of personal safety, physical health and housing options. Additionally, with programs like Jazz on the Isle, our 11-event series will also provide attractive leisure time options for seniors.”

Paul Bridgewater, CEO of the Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA) said “Senior Power Days and the DNR are to be commended for developing this programming on Belle Isle that is specifically focused on seniors. Their efforts make it clear that Belle Isle has a senior friendly environment and the information they will be providing will be valuable to the seniors who participate.”

“We are extremely proud to be a supportive partner in this unprecedented effort to connect Southeast Michigan’s older adults to recreational and educational opportunities in the Detroit area,” said MDHHS Aging & Adult Services Agency Executive Director Kari Sederburg. “This is such a wonderful opportunity for older adults and I strongly encourage those living in the area to participate.”

The Senior Power Days event schedule includes:

• July 8- Senior safety summit 
• July 22- Jazz on the Isle 
• Aug. 5- Senior health and services day
• Aug. 19- Belle Isle crawl of venues and sights
• Sept. 9- Exercise and leisure day
• Sept. 23- Special Detroit icon concert (details to be announced in July 2015)
• Oct. 7- Jazz on the Isle in the casino
• Oct. 21- Senior arts and craft day
• Nov. 11- Veteran’s Day celebration
• Nov. 18- Interfaith day
• Dec. 16- Holiday and senior recognition luncheon

The DNR is Senior Power Days presenting sponsor. Other sponsors include Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Aging and Adult Services, American House Senior Living Communities, Detroit Agency on Aging, Area Agency on Aging 1-B, Regional Elder Mobility Alliance, Presbyterian Villages of Michigan, Henry Ford Health Systems and Greektown Casino.

Featured programs include:

Kickoff event - Senior safety summit
Seniors worry about crime. Seniors can learn how to be safe at home, how to be street smart and how to fight fraud from the experts—their own police chiefs and county sheriffs. The event’s opening session will feature law enforcement leaders giving their best advice and observations as well as answering the questions. The day will include presentations other crimes targeted toward older adults including how to avoid scams particularly those aimed at grandparents, Internet fraud and much more.

Henry Ford Hospital introduces new program “Walk with Docs”
Senior Power Days on Belle isle programs are focused on bringing informative and interactive programs to seniors that also enhance their quality of life. Henry Ford Health Systems program “Walk with Docs” embraces that philosophy. HFHS’s walk with the doc sessions will engage seniors in healthy dialogue with physicians and community members while exercising. These sessions will work both the mind and the body. “Walk with Docs” will be a part of the Senior Health and Service's Day on August 5.

Seniors can visit our "Vendor Village"
Vendor Village is a special tented area where seniors will have the opportunity to visit healthcare experts, get free health screening, senior housing options, product and services, service agencies and advocacy groups that are of special interest to seniors. "Vendor Village” will be a part of the kickoff Safety Summit and the Senior Health and Services Day.

Grand Prix to contribute complimentary Recreation Passports to seniors attending Senior Power Day event
Senior Power Days is committed to ensuring every senior who wishes to attend these events will be able to do so. The organizers are delighted that the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is helping to achieve the goal.

“The Chevrolet Detroit Belle Grand Prix wants to make sure that seniors have a chance to experience the beauty of Belle Isle and take advantage of all this wonderful park has to offer,” said Bud Denker, Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix chairman. “We recognize the Passport expense is not something that every person can afford, so we want to do our part and give back to the community that has supported the Grand Prix and Belle Isle Park.”

Denker said that 500 Recreation Passports will be distributed to seniors at the July 8 kickoff event. This contribution is in addition to the 600 Passports already distributed to island visitors and the Detroit community. The Recreation Passport is good until the vehicle owner’s next license plate renewal date. It can be used for access to Michigan’s 102 state parks, including Belle Isle.

Senior Power Days is working to help ensure senior access to Belle Isle
“The Senior Power Days team is working to help ensure that the requirement of a Recreation Passport to access Belle Isle will not be an impediment to seniors attending Senior Power Day events. We are working with sponsors, such as the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, to provide complimentary passes to seniors wishing to drive to the events” said Donaldson. “Additionally, we are working with senior agencies, governmental entities and faith and community-based organizations to organize bus trips to and from the events for seniors. Seniors riding buses will not need individual Recreation Passports to enter the park.”

Recreation Passports are available for $11 for Michigan-registered vehicles. They can be purchased at the visitor contact station, located just past MacArthur Bridge, and provide access to all of Michigan’s 102 state parks and recreation areas, with many located in the Detroit area. Learn more about the Recreation Passport at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.

Additional information about Belle Isle Park – Michigan’s 102nd state park – is available at www.belleislepark.org.

Follow Belle Isle Park on Twitter @BelleIsle_Park. Belle Isle partners and others interested in the park's revitalization are encouraged to use the hashtag #AllinforBelleIsle.