A chance to get some fresh air and exercise, chat with elected officials, and explore new fitness equipment at a local park will kick off Seniors鈥� Week in 91原创 Township.

Seniors鈥� Week runs June 1 to 7 and the Township, along with many local organizations, will be celebrating with several special events, activities, and programs.

Morning stroll

The week gets underway Thursday, June 1 with a Walk and Talk with the Mayor. From 10 to 11 a.m., mayor Jack Froese and members of Township Council will be at the Derek Doubleday Arboretum, in the 21200 block of Fraser Highway, for the official launch of new, outdoor, age-friendly exercise equipment.

Seniors are invited to join them for a walking tour and orientation of the new equipment, then guests can chat and stroll through the Arboretum with Froese and Council members.

鈥淥ur senior residents have a lot to contribute and play a vital role in this community,鈥� Froese said. 鈥淲e look forward to meeting and speaking with them during the walk and talk, and to show them how much they are appreciated during Seniors鈥� Week.鈥�

鈥楪reat opportunity鈥�

During the week, a number of programs will be offered at various community recreation centres and facilities throughout the Township to help seniors stay fit, healthy, and active. Everything from swimming pool and exercise classes to games, sports, crafts, and bus trips will be presented.

鈥淭his is a great opportunity for senior residents in our community to join together and try something new,鈥� said Township recreation programmer Jennifer Achterholt. 鈥淲e hope they will find a new hobby, make friends, and even discover a new activity that they will continue to enjoy in the future. Most of all, we hope they have a good time and have fun exploring everything being offered during Seniors鈥� Week.鈥�

Diggin鈥� It

Seniors with a green thumb who would like to garden and socialize while sharing tips, cuttings, seeds, and ideas for successful gardening are invited to join the Let鈥檚 Dig It Seniors鈥� Gardening Club.

Presented in partnership with the 91原创 Environmental Partners Society, the club runs from mid-May through the end of August. A Let鈥檚 Dig It session is being offered in conjunction with Seniors鈥� Week on Monday, June 5, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the 91原创 Demonstration Garden in the Derek Doubleday Arboretum.

Gardeners with all levels of experience are welcome. To register for the club, call the W.C. Blair Recreation Center at 604-533-6170.

Tea, anyone?

An annual Seniors鈥� Week tradition returns on Tuesday, June 6, when the Seniors鈥� Tea is held at the Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre, 26770 - 29 Ave., from 1 to 3 p.m., and will feature refreshments and entertainment.

Free pass

All Seniors鈥� Week activities, events, programs, and classes offered by the Township will be provided free of charge, through the Active Legacy Pass. The passes, a legacy of the 91原创 2014 BC Seniors Games, are currently available to residents aged 50 plus, and can be picked up at any Township community, cultural, or recreation centre.

Helpers wanted

Registration is required for all Seniors鈥� Week programs and events, which are listed in an accompanying Active Legacy Pass Brochure, along with registration information. For more information, visit tol.ca/events.

Volunteers are being sought to assist with Seniors鈥� Week activities, including the Gardening Club and Seniors Tea. To help out, contact Jennifer Achterholt at jachterholt@tol.ca.

An age-friendly community

In June of 2015, 91原创 Township was recognized by the Province of British Columbia as an age-friendly community 鈥� a place where people can enjoy all stages of life and live with dignity, respect, and independence.

As well, the Township has created an age-friendly strategy to provide a framework for healthy, livable communities that are welcoming to all ages. The goal is to ensure proper housing and transportation options, services, and programs are in place to, according to the Township, 鈥渉elp seniors experience a great quality of life, now and in the future, as people live longer and do more in their later years.鈥�

For more information, visit .