A pathway project that encircles Tabor Home in Morden is seen as being a benefit in many ways for not only the residents, staff, and volunteers of the personal care home, but the community as a whole.
Work started last spring on the pathway, which also links to each unit of Tabor Home, and it was finished aside from other minor finishing touches this past spring.
“I think it just really enhances the facility for the residents and the community. It just makes it a more pleasant experience for everybody,” said Carol Worms, a director on the Tabor Home board.
“Both of my parents lived in a personal care home facility,” noted chairperson Helena Goerz. “To know there’s a place where you can take people outside is just something that was really dear to my heart because they both loved to spend time outside … to know that we can give this to the people who helped build this community is really important to me.”
Goerz explained there were a few reasons why the pathway project came to mind.
“One reason for us was egress from the building. In winter, we were just snow blowing on the grass, and if you ever needed to evacuate people in wheelchairs or on a bed or even someone with a walker, that could be very difficult and treacherous.
“For us, having a really nice pathway to connect all of the units and exits was important because it could all be cleared well,” she continued. “It’s also just for recreation for the folks. You can take them out, and it’s a nice place where you can walk with them and spend time outside.”
Goerz noted they were able to draw on a Tabor Home fund, which is supported with a variety of donations, such as from bequests from estates.
“We can draw on those funds to work on projects like this, but we also are always very happy for the community to add to that funding.”
Goerz estimated the overall cost of the project was about $475,000.
“It was quite a costly project,” she said. “The grounds had been disturbed within the last five years, so we had to put more base in and things like that, and for us also it was important to have a very wide, walkable path. If volunteers or families or residents would be passing each other with wheelchairs or walkers that nobody would have to step aside.”
“There is also a raised support system where it was so sloped, so we had to build a retaining wall. It had to be built up, so that added to the cost as well,” added Worms.
Goerz said the pathway has already been well-received and put to good use.
“I know there are people from the community who live in this area who utilize it, and as more people become more aware, they can work it into their wandering and walks.
“It’s also for the community. We want the community to feel free to wander through because it is a beautiful place, and it’s something that I think even the residents inside can enjoy watching,” she added. “It’s a very safe place because there’s no traffic nearby, so if a child is riding a bike, it’s easy and safe.”
Looking ahead, they plan to continue to make further improvements and additions around the pathway.
