New Seniors Program Brings Creativity and Community to Guild Park
- John P. Mason
- 2h
- 3 min read
One week after launching its first New Horizons for Seniors Program, the award-winning not-for-profit group, Friends of Guild Park, is already seeing an enthusiastic response from participants.
More than 100 registrations have been received for upcoming activities, and the first week of programming has generated overwhelmingly positive feedback from active adults looking to stay engaged, learn new things and connect with others in their community.
The program offers three different ways for adults aged 55+ to enjoy Guild Park: guided Activity Walks, Gardening & Stewardship programs, and Experiential Art Workshops.
Activity Walks Explore Hidden Corners of Guild Park
The first Activity Walk welcomed participants for a relaxed morning exploring Guild Park's gardens, woodland trails, boardwalks and scenic pathways.
After a gentle walk through the park, participants gathered at the Sculptor's Cabin for refreshments and conversation. For many, the social connections were just as important as the exercise.
Several participants commented that they discovered parts of Guild Park they had never visited before, despite living in the area for years.
Pollinator Garden Inspires Gardeners and Nature Lovers
The first Gardening & Stewardship sessions introduced participants to the fascinating relationship between native plants, butterflies, birds and other wildlife.
Led by Guildwood Butterflyway Project coordinator Allison Murray, visitors explored Guild Park's award-winning pollinator garden while learning how native plants support biodiversity and create habitat for important pollinators.
Participant comments included:
"Inspiring pollinator garden."
"Learning about the native plants and butterflies."
"Lots of excellent information and plant identification."
Additional gardening sessions continue throughout the summer, including upcoming programs on invasive plants, butterfly conservation and native trees.
Creativity Flourishes at the Clark Centre
The first Experiential Art Workshop may have started during a rainstorm, but that didn't stop participants from finding inspiration.
Rather than exploring outdoors as originally planned, participants gathered in the bright foyer of the Clark Centre for the Arts, looking out at Guild Park's landscape.
It was part of the guided meditation and creative exercises led by professional artist Carol Knowlton-Dority to start the workshop with inspiring observations.
Participants then went to the art studio to begin turning ideas into their own creations.
From simple supplies of paper, scissors and glue, participants created imaginative paper sculptures and colourful compositions inspired by nature, architecture and personal observation.
Several participants commented how they completely lost track of time while creating their artwork.
The next Experiential Art Workshop takes place on Tuesday, July 28. To register, click here
Join Us This Summer
All New Horizons activities are free for adults aged 55+ and continue throughout the summer and fall.
Upcoming activities include:
Weekly Activity Walks every Monday morning
Weekly Gardening & Stewardship activities every Friday morning
Invasive Plants Workshop – July 4
Butterfly Celebration – July 18
Experiential Art Workshop – July 28
Whether you're interested in nature, gardening, walking, creativity or simply meeting new people, Guild Park offers a welcoming place to get involved. Full schedule above.
Friends of Guild Park is proud to deliver this program with support from the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program. For online registration, visit:
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