Lifelong West Seattle resident and senior citizen Roberta Fowler is not paid to be an advocate for Seattle Parks Lifelong Recreation programs for seniors, but after an aerobics class made a huge difference in her life she has championed their cause and hopes to get more seniors involved.

After retiring 15 years ago, Fowler wanted to get active and signed up for a Lifelong aerobics class. Shortly thereafter she received the bad news that she had diabetes and needed to lose weight. She kept going to aerobics, “and it really helped me, I lost 60 pounds … and the people are really fun.”

“I don’t think people realize how many senior activities there are available here in West Seattle,” Fowler said.

Fowler and Mary Dalzell, Seattle Parks Recreation Specialist for senior activities in West Seattle and South Park, met with the Herald at an Alki coffee shop to explain the array of opportunities for seniors in the area. The programs are for anyone 50 years old and up.

“We are really fortunate in that we have a wide program,” Fowler said. “We have everything from exercise to book clubs to special hours for swimming at the Southwest Pool. We do field trips … and last week they went to the Rat City Rollergirls. They do dance classes, walking classes, art classes; we have a really nice full program that we would like to have more seniors in West Seattle take advantage of.”

A quick look through the program brochure confirms that variety – from a field trip to Hibulb Cultural Center/Casino of the Tulalip Tribes to cooking, ballroom dancing, digital photography and Retirement 101 courses - and Fowler said the prices “are very affordable for seniors.”

While some activities are informational, Dalzell said others are just a chance to gather and have fun. She said the ballroom dancing get-togethers have been especially vibrant with many seniors putting on their best dresses from a bygone era to cut a rug in modern times.

Most classes are an hour long and take place at community centers around the peninsula (except for field trips and swimming classes) – mostly at Alki and Delridge. Dalzell said people can test drive the longer courses by paying $2 for a single session. There are also free activities including a weekly computer lab at the Delridge Community Center, potlucks and meet-ups for single seniors looking to make a connection.

Classes usually take place during the day, but Dalzell said they try to work in evening classes for interested seniors who still work.

Dalzell works closely with the West Seattle Senior Center (4217 S.W. Oregon St.) to combine their efforts on some classes and ensure they are not duplicating each other.

“Many studies have shown the benefits of seniors staying active and so these programs provide activities for both the body and the mind for seniors,” Fowler said.

City budget cuts create pressure, but the program is still sound
“We are adjusting to budget cuts extremely,” Fowler said. “It is sad to live in Seattle and see that our parks department has to choose between a little girl taking ballet or a senior lady taking an aerobics class. I think that’s sad.”

Dalzell said the greatest challenge in response to city budget drawbacks has been the reduction in staffed hours at community centers.

“It’s a trickle down effect; if we lose the morning hours than where do the kids go?,” she said. “Everybody is compressed into the only time there is actually staff in the building and there are only so many rooms you can use.”

So far, however, Dalzell said she has not had to cut the plethora of offerings, finding “creative” ways to work with community center staff.

“I hope that more seniors come out and support and enjoy the activities that the parks department provides because if we don’t support them, they will be gone” Fowler said.

Looking forward and getting involved
A sneak peak at the spring brochure (available online for download now at http://www.seattle.gov/parks/seniors/index.htm and available in print sometime in March) for activities from April 2 to June 15 shows a continuation of variety including aerobics, Hatha yoga, volleyball, pickleball, line dancing, bridge, field trips to places like Windmill Gardens in Sumner, a guide to using Google’s online search engine … just to name a few.

For more information, Mary Dalzell encourages everyone to contact her directly, either by phone or email: Phone: (206)935-2162, Email: mary.dalzell@seattle.gov.

Seattle Parks Lifelong Recreation information can also be found at their website: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/seniors/index.htm

One last note: If you are someone with knowledge of an activity or skill and feel the urge to teach, contact Dalzell for information on teaching a class of your own.