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Park City senior center reports steady membership, flags transportation gap
Summary
City senior-center staff said membership and program participation are on track, outlined upcoming events and identified nonmedical transportation as a major unmet need for older residents.
Madison, a senior-center staff member, told the Park City Council on March 25 that the center is open to Sedgwick County residents age 55 and older and that participation this year already meets contract requirements with the county.
Madison said the center recorded 230 unduplicated active members through Jan. 1 and averaged about 37 people per day. "So far this year, per our contract with Sedgwick County ... we are required to have a 51 to 200 in the year. So we've already met that," she said.
The staff report listed program targets required by the county and progress to date: baseline recurring activities (exercise classes, weekday lunch service), 15 of 40 required educational programs, and 10 of 15 required special events. Upcoming offerings include an Arthritis Foundation "Walk With Ease" program, van outings to Tanganyika and an arboretum, a volunteer appreciation dinner in April, a fraud-prevention seminar, pickleball lessons in May, monthly movie matinees and craft workshops, and Medicare consultations for those turning 65.
Madison told the council a persistent gap is nonmedical transportation for seniors. "Transportation for seniors, especially non medical transportation ... is essentially non existent," she said, adding that many seniors lack easy access to a computer or smartphone to arrange rides.
Council members asked logistical questions. Councilman George Glover asked whether the center still offered VITA/AARP tax assistance; Madison said AARP Tax-Aide has limited the number of facilities it serves since the COVID pandemic because of volunteer shortages. Councilman Jim Schrader and others described community enthusiasm for planned senior housing and the new senior center. Madison said she had been reappointed to the Sedgwick County Advisory Board on Aging and Disability Services and that she is involved in planning a new senior center and senior living opportunities in Park City.
The presentation was informational; no formal council action was taken on the report.
