Communities spring forward to outdoor events

As the weather warms up some, many Houston-area residents begin to want to spend as much leisure time outdoors as possible. Luckily for them, many of the area’s senior living communities offer plenty of opportunities for them to do so.

Many of Parkway Place’s residents like spending time outside in the evenings, sitting on the benches around the property, enjoying the sunset or a breeze, or taking a walk about the property with their dogs. Parkway Place also has a dog park where residents can take their dogs off leash to play.

“Our residents love to be outdoors, and there is a lot for them to do on our property,” said Mary Green, life enrichment coordinator at Parkway Place. “It’s good physically, mentally and spiritually for them to get some exercise, spend time gardening, or simply enjoying beautiful weather while connecting with one another as they spend time together outdoors.”

Parkway Place also has several gar-

den plots on the property, allowing residents to reserve one to grow vegetables and flowers. The community also has a koi pond tended by a resident.

Another recent addition is the community’s outdoor prayer garden. Last summer, Peyton Price, grandson of residents Bill and Bettye Hinson, completed his Eagle Scout requirements by building a prayer garden on the grounds of Parkway Place.

Price brought tiles to Parkway Place and the residents painted them. He used them to build benches, also mounting a cross on an existing brick wall.

“This is a wonderful place where our residents love to spend some quiet time,” Green said.

During the spring, Parkway Place also plans resident trips to see the bluebonnets and wildflowers. This March, they are going to Newman’s Castle in Bellville. Lastly, the community also has a small putting contest on its putting green, called “Lemonade on the Green.”

Treemont Retirement Community also is known for helping its residents get into the spring spirit. The community offers a weekly gardening club, as well as early morning outdoor walking sessions led by a resident whenever the weather permits.

Treemont also does bus trips out of the city, and this spring’s outings will include a bus trip to Galveston in early April, a bluebonnet tour in Brenham, and a tour of Newman’s Castle.

Treemont also hosts barbecues on the patio for a Caribbean-themed “Spring Fling” event in April, and for Cinco de Mayo and Memorial Day in May.

“We recently installed large antique lanterns on the back patio to improve the lighting and encourage socializing outside in the evening,” said Nikki Andress, activities director at Treemont Retirement Community.

For more information about Parkway Place, visit www.buckner.org/ retirement-services/ parkway-place.

For Treemont, visit www.treemont.com.

Photo courtesy of Treemont Treemont’s executive director Rodney Brooks visits with residents at the community’s Go Texan barbecue.

Photo courtesy of Parkway Place

Photo courtesy of Parkway Place Spring activities at Parkway Place last year included a luau.

Photo courtesy of Treemont Treemont residents enjoyed many activities at the community’s Spring Fling.