Getting Outside at Bridgewater Retirement Community

Last month we discussed spring cleaning and home maintenance. Now that those chores are done (right?), it’s time to enjoy the warm weather and get outside!

Here at Bridgewater Retirement Community, we love the outdoors. Surrounded by the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, we are constantly beckoned by the temperate weather to go al fresco. Here are some of the activities our residents love come springtime.

The Oasis

In summer of 2017, we opened an outdoor activity space at Bridgewater Retirement Community, so this will be the inaugural spring for The Oasis. The space features a fire pit, outdoor kitchen, butterfly garden and fountain. The Oasis also offers nearby walking trails and an open-air pavilion. The whole Oasis area is wheelchair-friendly and accessible to everyone at Bridgewater. We plan on hosting hotdog and marshmallow roasts and concerts at the pavilion.

Garden and Greenhouse

Quite a few of our residents have a green thumb, and are eyeing our raised garden area. Once the long winter lets up, you can bet there will be much digging, weeding, and discussion of what to plant.

We also have a greenhouse, built with the help of Bridgewater College students. Our neighbors at the college will be back to help with planting and starting seeds in the greenhouse. The students have shared so much with us – stay tuned for more stories on how our seniors and the students work together to build community.

Out and about

There’s plenty to do outdoors on the Bridgewater Retirement Community campus. We also have adventures off-site. Bridgewater, Virginia, and the Shenandoah Valley are known far and wide for amazing natural beauty and outdoor activities. We are situated on a relatively level plateau, which makes biking and hiking a breeze. We have a rack of loaner bikes for anyone who wants to wheel around Main Street.

In the town are some wonderful parks, 13 to be exact. Wildwood Park located next to North River offers, biking and walking trails, picnic shelters, and fishing. Sandy Bottom Park is home to Bridgewater’s par three, nine-hole golf course, and an 18-hole miniature golf course. The park facilities also include a practice green, restrooms, several picnic tables, two gazebos, and ample parking. Our residents are eligible for passes that give them access to Wildwood and other parks and all they have to offer. (For example, Generations Park has musical shows and movie nights.) Visit the Town of Bridgewater to learn more about all 13 parks.

And if that’s not enough, our independent living residents sometimes bus to ball games at nearby colleges or home and garden tours. At Bridgewater Retirement Community, there’s always plenty to do, both inside and outside.