September 5, 2023
Residents and staff had a field day exploring options for outdoor activity on the beautifully hilly Kendal at Lexington campus.
On May 10, the area known as Kendal Park (uphill from the Borden Health Center on a relatively level expanse of ground) was host to an inaugural Field Day of outdoor fun and games.
“The Field Day was a way to offer more outside activity and gauge interest in the Kendal Park area for this purpose,” said KaLex Health and Fitness Manager Victoria Forman.
Organized by Victoria, Health and Wellness Manager Kristen McCabe and a small committee of residents, the event featured wiffleball, croquet, corn hole, a life-sized game of
KerPlunk, frisbee, tasty ice cream treats courtesy of KaLex dining and plenty of water and sunscreen.
Getting in the Game
According to resident and Field Day committee convener Ed Baum, who was joined in planning by resident Suetta Harrison, “Beyond our great walking trails, we wanted to add more opportunities for people to be outside and thought this might be a good space for that.”
Judging from the approximately 50 residents and 20 staff members who gamely joined in the three-hour event on a beautiful spring day, the planning team’s instincts were correct.
“Over a quarter of our residents came out to participate,” said Ed. “This showed that this area can be used for outdoor activity, and it was great seeing people happy and enjoying themselves.”
“Everyone was really pleased; it was a very successful day,” Kristen concurred, remarking that the Kendal Summer Games in 2020 (aligned with the real Olympics that year and on schedule again for 2024) paved the way for another large-scale event that will occur more frequently.
Plans are to have a Field Day every other month when the weather allows, with the next one occurring on July 12. In the meantime, residents can play croquet, corn hole and other games anytime in Kendal Park.
Meeting Fitness Goals
“Residents here are really active,” said Victoria, noting that many are routinely in the top-flight Wellness Center, taking part in the 26 classes she and Kristen lead each week, working out with state-of-the-art exercise equipment and diving into fun and fitness in the heated indoor pool.
In May alone, including Field Day, over 130 residents participated in physical fitness at Kendal.
“We are so relieved and happy to be back to a full fitness curriculum post Covid,” said Kristen. “It feels normal again. Our residents are an incredibly motivated and appreciative group. It’s wonderful to see them make improvements and meet their goals.”
Making a Difference
Agreed Victoria, “It’s very rewarding to know we’re making a difference. Residents are on a healthy trajectory for the rest of their lives.”
Along with his wife Anita James, Ed joined Kendal’s fitness program while their free-standing cottage was still being built.
Perhaps he says it best: “The goal is to enjoy life and take advantage of the opportunities we have before us.”