March 19, 2024

Scoopin’ the loop: ‘All Ability’ accessible bike brings new mobility to Park Centre

When staff pedaled up to the front entrance of Park Centre earlier this fall with the retirement community’s new Fun2Go Bicycle, Mary Lamb was one of the first residents to take the American Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible three-wheeler for a spin.

After a ride around the block with Park Centre staff member Sharee Esqueda, Lamb unhooked her lime green bike helmet to reveal a big smile.

“How was that?” Esqueda asked.

“That was very good,” Lamb replied still showing her teeth.

Sept. 11 was the ribbon cutting for Park Centre’s side-by-side tandem Van Raam brand bike, purchased from All Ability Cycles in Jefferson, a business that focuses on adaptive bikes for people with mobility challenges. The bike has an electric motor, so it can be set to have the pedals go automatically while the riders feet rest on a platform. The duel setting also allows for two pedalers, allowing volunteers and Park Centre staff to assist the residents as needed.

According to Margot Voshell, Park Centre communications and marketing director, the bike allows the senior community’s residents to add to their independence and an active lifestyle.

“They just loved it. They loved the freedom, asked a lot of questions about how they could work (the bike), what the program will be as far as checking it out,” Voshell said. “We put some procedures in place to make sure everybody is safe, requiring helmets, closed-toed shoes and that everybody has a really good idea of how it works. Everybody’s enjoying it.”

The bike is $11,800. Park Centre residents began their fundraising during Newton’s overnight RAGBRAI stop in July, hosting a spaghetti dinner with a free will donation for riders.

Set up on their front circle drive, Park Centre had a Fun2Go bike demonstration during RAGBRAI, gaining more donations by offering rides to visitors.

Judith Dailey is president-elect of Park Centre’s resident association and chairperson of the community’s welcoming committee. Daily said she and her husband Steve lived in other Iowa communities that had RAGBRAI come through, so she knew the generosity or the riders.

“That day, we had a great time,” Judith said. “There were several residents sitting out front and as the bicycles came in, we’d holler ‘Aloha,’ and they’d wave back.”

Dailey said part of the fundraiser’s success was due to the homey atmosphere of the Park Centre bistro, which was the setting for the spaghetti dinner. According to Voshell, the RAGBRAI riders, after hours of riding dozens of miles, really liked that Park Centre’s chairs had cozy armrests.

“Some of the bicyclists when they walked out of the spaghetti fundraiser would come back in and put a little bit more in the jar after seeing the bikes,” Voshell said.

The remaining cost of the Fun2Go bike was covered by an anonymous donor. Although the donor prefers to be anonymous and keep the amount a secret, the donor did provide a statement to Newton Daily News through Park Centre staff.

“I looked at this as a fun opportunity to help the Park Centre residents. There is so much to do inside Park Centre, I wanted to be able to provide an option for residents to get outside and just have fun and (have) the freedom of being outdoors,” the donor said.

The next fundraiser, Voshell said, will focus on purchasing an adapter for the bike which allows two additional seats for four total riders.

Park Centre is also reaching out to the community for any volunteers, Voshell said, who might be interested in taking residents out for a ride for 30 minutes, once per week, once per month or whenever they have time. There would be a short orientation on the bike and Park Centre policies for all volunteers.

“It will be great, especially for my husband. He has a hard time walking. He loved the outdoors and yard work,” Judith said. “So, it’s a good opportunity for him to get out and have that opportunity again. ... It will be a good social outlet for the residents to meet someone else.”

Interested volunteers can contact Park Centre at 641-791-5000.

Contact Mike Mendenhall at 641-792-3121 Ext 6530 or at mmendenhall@newtondailynews.com.