Join the Elderberries! Free program ages 50+

Enhancing Access to Nature for Older Adults and Seniors, also referred to as Enhancing Access to Nature is a developing Green Venture project. 

Project aims:

• To increase and improve access to greenspace and community for Hamilton older adults and seniors.
• Improve Green Venture’s site and program accessibility work for people with disabilities and mobility challenges. 

 

Our Goals & Mission

The core mission is to create space and support for Hamilton’s aging population to access nature and all its associated mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health benefits. This looks like… 

• Offering group nature-oriented indoor and outdoor programming geared to older adults and seniors 
• Making EcoHouse and Green Venture events more accessible for those with mobility challenges and disabilities 
• Lending adaptive equipment to local walking, hiking, and community groups and organizations serving this demographic 
• Collaborating with existing Hamilton-based organizations to provide inclusive outdoor programming and events for older adults and seniors

A Pilot Program

 Our pilot programming for 2026 will be taking place in part at EcoHouse (22 Veevers Drive), operating under the name "Elderberries". Each session is 2 hours, and we will focus on enjoying time in nature, learning new hands-one skills, and socializing as a group as we do activities. We currently do not have any listed dates. Please return here for more information soon, or check our event calendar, or subscribe to our newsletter to be notified. 

Winter and Spring we ran:

• March 27 (introduction and learning about seed processing)
• April 2 (birdwatching workshop with Sheldon McGregor)
• April 10 (natural art and learning to make paint from harvested shale)
• April 16 (social with firebuilding, fire-heated drink & snack, and art)
• All sessions ran from 11 am to 1 pm. Open to ages 50 +. 

Our first pilot is now complete. 

 

This program has been in the Hamilton community for a short time, but you may have seen us around! To date, we have tabled at various senior and accessibility fairs, run an all-terrain wheelchair loan booth at the HRIC’s Truth & Reconciliation event at Gage Park, and hosted a small try-it ride with residents at Shalom Village.

 

Our Study 

This pilot program is funded in part by the Hamilton Community Foundation’s Community Health, Education & Research (CHER) fund. CHER’s objectives are to support innovative applied or participatory research in community health. Part of EANOA’s work entails an exciting research study with multiple community partners involved including the HCoA, McMaster, Shalom Village, and Trees for Hamilton. Our study aims to collect and summarize data on the experiences of participants in our programming as we provide indoor and outdoor intervention programming to improve access to greenspace and nature, promote mobility throughout seniorhood, and provide opportunities for intergenerational social inclusion and enrichment. This study collects informed, user-provided data through conversations, surveys, and testimonials.

Our All-terrain Wheelchairs

Green Venture has four all-terrain wheelchairs available at EcoHouse for use in our programs, tours, and events. Our all-terrain wheelchairs (Freedom Chair 3.0 and Junior models) were purchased through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Capital grant, and sourced from GRIT, a company specializing in adaptive hiking equipment. These chairs are designed with mountain bike tires, levers to propel, a third stability wheel, and anti-tip bars all to provide the outdoor terrain versatility that traditional wheelchairs fall short of. Our adult chairs have a weight limit of 300lbs, and can be less comfortable for larger persons. The chairs do not accommodate all sizes.

A goal of EANOA is the loaning of these chairs to existing Hamilton-based groups and programs who serve older populations to increase greenspace accessibility across the city. If you are part of or lead a walking group, care facility, retirement home, or other organization or group serving this demographic, and are interested in borrowing or renting a chair and being part of our study, you can contact the education team at [email protected] 

Our chairs can also be made available to businesses, festival coordinators, and all for-profit organizations at sliding scale cost, or for free if cost presents a barrier. 

For individuals curious about all-terrain wheelchairs or wanting to try them out, our chairs are available to test and borrow on-site for free on reception days (Fridays, 9am - 4pm). A reservation must be made in advance and can be done by emailing [email protected] to schedule a date and time window.