PHOTOS: Volunteers Take Northville Seniors Out to Maybury State Park

Harold Tench can remember coming to Maybury State Park with his family decades ago.

On Thursday afternoon, he came back during a senior citizen stroll and picnic, sponsored by the Northville Community Senior Center, Friends of Maybury Park and Maybury Park.

“It’s nice getting outside of where I live and being able to watch the people,” the Wynwood of Northville resident said, gesturing toward a family playing in the nearby playground. Wynwood is a retirement facility off Six Mile Road in the township.

Organizer Jerry Mittman, who is both on the senior advisory committee and a Friends of Maybury member, said the outing is aimed at getting seniors outdoors.

It’s worth it, he said, to “see how happy they are.”

He added, “Someday we’ll all be there.”

Some of the seniors have limited mobility. Some pushed walkers, others walked with canes, and some were pushed in their wheelchairs by volunteers.

Wynwood’s life enrichment coordinator, Virginia Leonard, said that such trips improve her residents’ quality of life.

“This really hit the spot for them,” she said of the 11 participants. “It was something I knew they’d enjoy.”

In the future, the partnership to hold such outings for seniors is likely to continue, said senior center director Suzie Johnson.

She has a special sympathy and passion for keeping seniors active.

“My mother is in a memory care facility,” she said. “I know how important it is for seniors to get outdoors.”

Giving the senior citizens an opportunity to socialize and appreciate Northville's parks in the summer weather was an important reason for the event, Johnson said.

"We would definitely love to continue with Wynwood but also expand to other senior residential communities," she said.