Fox Run Residents Benefit from an Array of Outdoor Amenities

When Allen Zondlak made the move to Fox Run, an Erickson Senior Living community in Novi, Mich., in 2016 with his wife Patricia, he discovered that there was no croquet club.

"I've played croquet since I was a child," says Allen, who decided to start a club soon after settling into their residence.

Now, every Saturday at 10 a.m., from Memorial Day weekend through the first weekend in October, Allen and his fellow croquet enthusiasts get together for some friendly competition on campus.

"At Fox Run, we play on three courts with up to six players on each," he says. "There are great health benefits--physical and mental. You get exercise, and there's time to socialize."

With dozens of outdoor amenities on the 108-acre campus, this is just one way residents like to enjoy the fresh air and warming weather.

Amenities abound

In addition to playing croquet, Allen joins friends for bocce games on Mondays and Fridays and walks a minimum of four miles a day.

"There's a 1.1-mile perimeter road that goes around the campus, and in the forested areas, wetlands, and fields, you see all kinds of different animals," he says. "I often see deer, wild turkeys, sand hill cranes, egrets, herons, ducks, geese, a variety of smaller bird species, rabbits, squirrels, turtles, and raccoons."

Fox Run also boasts two new pickleball courts, a dog park, and a community garden, in which residents can request a personal patch and then plant and tend to the vegetables and flowers of their choosing.

Resident Life Director Pam Cameron notes that the two tranquil gazebo areas are also popular. "Residents like to go there to sit, talk with others, and relax," she says.

The shared grilling area, complete with grills, tables, and chairs, is a resident favorite for hosting cookouts with visiting family and friends.

Thanks to these outdoor amenities, Fox Run residents have lots of opportunities to stay active and connect with neighbors--a contrast to the isolation that many seniors experience when living alone in a house. In fact, a growing body of research supports the fact that spending time outdoors results in improved health in older adults.  

"When residents engage in outdoor activities they enjoy, it becomes easy for them to make connections with others who like the same things," says Cameron. "And their physical health is boosted because many activities help with strength, balance, and cardiovascular health."

Outdoor events

Taking advantage of Fox Run's bucolic backdrop, Cameron and her team organize an array of outdoor events, including the popular Fall Frenzy. This annual event features food, a live band, dancing, and on-theme games and activities.

Fitness center staff members host outdoor events as well, such as stretching classes and walking groups that encourage residents to soak up the sunshine. They even planned a Senior Olympics in 2024 to coincide with the Olympic games.

"We also have an Outdoor Activity Day, where residents run different activities such as pickleball, bocce, and croquet," says Cameron. "They offer demos of required skills as well, giving new players a chance to interact and possibly join new outdoor groups."

Cameron notes that her team actively solicits suggestions for additional outdoor activities.

"We continuously ask residents what they would like to see. We see feedback as a gift here; we want to implement as many outdoor opportunities as possible," she says.

‘Having a good time'

Having brought his favorite sport to the community, Allen knows where he'll be every Saturday morning.

"With croquet, I'm getting plenty of physical exercise. I'm going to be outside in the sunshine and the grass, and I'll be spending time with others," he says. "Besides having a good time, we have developed really great friendships with so many people."

To celebrate the group's camaraderie, Allen helps plan an annual banquet in which players receive awards for their efforts. Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, The Sportsmanship Award, The Comeback Player Award, and The Hotshot Award have been granted in the past.

"We meet for dinner, and it's a nice social occasion for us," he says.

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