ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park

29/05/2026

Join the friendly champions for a great workout or a chat at the Seniors Exercise Park at Victoria Park, Kew

Get active for Men’s Health Week with free and low-cost events running from 15 to 21 June.

Highlights include:
🔹 a sports writing masterclass with journalist Ken Piesse
🔹 men’s strength training at Kew Seniors Centre
🔹 mindfulness activities at the Craig Family Centre
🔹 a variety of free trials and workshops at our Neighbourhood Houses..and much more!

Register at https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/your-council/news-and-media/boroondara-news/mens-health-week-2026 .

11/05/2026

Looking back on 50 years of impact: NARI Research Project Highlight

A new evaluation of our ENJOY® (Exercise interveNtion outdoor proJect in the cOmmunitY) program shows a strong Social Return on Investment. For every $1 invested in the establishment of the Seniors Exercise Parks and their community activation, $2.50 is generated in social value — a 150% return.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12877-026-07260-w

This highlights that investing in age-friendly, community-based infrastructure is a cost-effective way to support physical activity, social connection, and healthy ageing at scale. Since 2020, NARI has partnered with over 15 local councils, including City of Whittlesea, Nillumbik Shire Council, Hobsons Bay City Council, Wyndham City Council, Mitchell Shire Council and Parks and Leisure Australia VIC/TAS Region, Parks and Leisure Australia, Lark Industries, to deliver inclusive and accessible exercise parks for older people.

ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park

30/04/2026

🚨 Publication Alert 🚨
Social Return on Investment analysis of the ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park IMP-ACT project

👉 We examined whether scaling the Seniors Exercise Park program across six local government areas represents value for money from a societal perspective. The analysis included both the cost of establishing the parks (infrastructure and capital costs) and activating them through structured programming, volunteer training, community engagement, and marketing.

🌟 For every $1 invested, the return was $2.50. 🌟
The return reflected broader social and economic benefits, including changes in health and social care use, quality of life, and participation outcomes.
**Infrastructure alone may not deliver impact**
Activation, programming, partnership with local government, and community engagement drive return.

As local governments invest in age-friendly environments, pairing capital works with evidence-based implementation is essential to maximise public value.

To establish the cost of implementation, as well as the social return-on-investment, when scaling the Seniors Exercise Park program across multiple local g

30/04/2026

Be Active, Be Social at the Seniors Exercise Park at Central Park, Hoppers Crossing.

Specially designed to help seniors improve strength, balance and coordination. Our friendly volunteers will show you how to use the equipment and guide you through a circuit. The sessions are social with a great group of people, so if you are looking for a free group to do some gentle exercise with and share a chat, why not come down and join in?

Running on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 to 10.45am except public holidays and the first Monday of the month.

👉 Find out more and book at: https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/whats-on/seniors-exercise-park-community-sessions

21/04/2026

🎤 ENJOY at the Australian Frailty Network Conference 🌿

We were proud to see the ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park program featured at the Australian Frailty Network Conference, with a joint presentation by ENJOY team member Dr Bronwyn Dreher and Bevin McLaren, one of our inspiring community champions.

Bronwyn shared the research story behind ENJOY — highlighting the proven benefits of Seniors Exercise Parks, and how peer‑led, community‑based approaches can support physical activity, wellbeing, and social connection for older adults.

A special highlight of the presentation was Bevin’s powerful contribution, where he spoke about his journey as an ENJOY champion — what motivated him to get involved, his experience supporting others to use the exercise park, and the positive changes he has seen in both his own health and his local community. His reflections brought the research to life and showed just how important community volunteers are to the success and sustainability of ENJOY.

Bevin’s words reminded us that Seniors Exercise Parks are not just about equipment — they’re about people, connection, confidence, and community. 💙

Thank you to Bronwyn and Bevin for representing ENJOY so thoughtfully, and for sharing how research and lived experience come together to support healthier ageing.

👉 You can watch Bevin’s part of the presentation here ⬇️

20/04/2026

💚 Refresher training done! 💪🌳

We had a fantastic time delivering a refresher training session with the Knox City Council Community Champions recently. It was wonderful to reconnect, share knowledge, and see the passion and commitment these champions bring to supporting active, healthy ageing in their communities.

From revisiting safe exercise techniques to swapping stories and tips from the park, the energy and enthusiasm in the group was inspiring. Thank you to Knox City Council and all the Community Champions for your ongoing dedication to helping older adults enjoy, use and benefit from the ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park.

We’re looking forward to seeing this knowledge in action—keep up the great work! 🌟

27/03/2026

🚨 New Publication Alert 🚨
*Implementation Factors Influencing Utilisation of Seniors Exercise Parks: A Community Stakeholder Qualitative Study*
Drawing on stakeholder perspectives across multiple local government areas, our findings highlight:
👉 Uptake is not just about installing equipment
👉 Uptake depends on confidence, social support, program delivery, and how well parks are integrated into the community environment.
📣 Key insights for councils and planners include: The importance of structured programs, local champions, strategic placement near amenities, and clear visibility and promotion to support engagement and sustained use.

Acknowledgments: City of Whittlesea, Nillumbik Shire Council, Hobsons Bay City Council, Wyndham City, Mitchell Shire Council,
Parks and Leisure Australia VIC/TAS Region, Parks and Leisure Australia, Lark Industries, National Ageing Research Institute Ltd

Funding provided by The Commonwealth of Australia – Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission 2021.

26/03/2026

06/03/2026

International Women's Day is 8th March. It is a global day celebrating women's achievements, it's a great opportunity to encourage women to prioritise their health and well-being, including exercise, and to celebrate their strength and resilience.

Are you prioritising your health and wellbeing enough? Attending a Seniors Exercise Park is a good place to start.

Follow the link to find a Seniors Exercise Park near you: https://www.nari.net.au/where-are-the-seniors-exercise-parks