Senior Safari at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
Summary
To better serve older adults, Happy Hollow Foundation has opened its doors for six straight years for the “Senior Safari”. Visitors age 50 and up are invited to take over the iconic San Jose park, which has traditionally focused on serving young children and their families. Older adults enjoy the fresh air and exercise, animal meet-and-greets, zookeeper chats, dancing, art, and hula hooping.
This program is designed to help older adults improve their health, avoid social isolation, and enjoy a unique, ADA accessible environment that stimulates both mind and body. Senior Safari admission and parking are free, and guests are welcome to stay for the day after gates open to the general public. In 2019, we expanded advertising to include Vietnamese language postcards and radio spots in addition to outreach in English and Spanish. Last year’s attendance was almost 3,500, which was more than a 10% increase from the year before.
The County of Santa Clara is a vital partner for this event series and provides resource tables for attendees to learn about services and opportunities for older adults from County agencies, including Valley Medical Center, Emergency Services, Senior Nutrition, Public Health, and Aging and Adult Services.
Key facts
Main target group: Older people in general
Sector(s): Other
Other sector(s): Parks & Recreation
Desired outcome for older people:
Be mobile
- Accessibility
- Healthy behaviours (e.g. physical activity)
- Inclusion
- Participation