Art of Aging: Senior Strut

FAIRMOUNT PARK (WPVI) -- This the perfect time for seniors to take a walk outside with fall foliage at its peak.

Every year, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging partners with the Fairmount Park Conservancy to stage the Senior Strut.

Rendia Grady of West Philadelphia says, "Just Struttin' my stuff."

Promoting the parks as the perfect place to get out and move.

Rick Magder is Exec. Dir. of Fairmount Park Conservancy.

"There's eleven thousand acres of open space. One of the biggest if not the biggest urban park system in the United States and it's incredibly varied," said Magder.

Suzanne Crescenzo of South Philadelphia says, "It's just being outdoors; it's great."

For seniors, a walk in the park is a chance to appreciate the city's beauty.

"It makes me feel good to get up and feel the nice fresh air crisp air," added Grady.

And to socialize with their peers.

Holly Lange is President & CEO, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. She says, "It promotes happiness and a good state of mind."

Harold Carmichael, NFL Hall of Famer adds, "My mother always told me, she said, 'do as much as you can, when you can."

Now that he's in his 60s, legendary Eagle Harold Carmichael says hiking is his go-to exercise.

"I walk about 4 miles every morning, and I feel great and it just starts my day off," said Carmichael.

PCA recommends the buddy system, and can connect seniors with other groups that are walking.

Amanda Buonomo is the/Special Events Manager of Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.

She says, "If you have a buddy then you're going to come, and you're going to have conversation, and you're going to walk, and it's going to go fast."

The Fairmount Park Conservancy hosts regular hikes. The next one is November 6th, a walk through the Wissahickon.

Crescenzo says, "You need to motivate yourself; you need to get out."

You can find all of the details in our Art of Aging section.