LAKE PLACID — As part of its newly created Age-friendly Education Network, Mercy Care for the Adirondacks hosted Scott van Laer, director of the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center, at Mercy Care’s Friendship Picnic on Lower Saranac Lake, where he shared opportunities available for people of all ages and abilities at the VIC and at John Dillon Park. At the VIC, he has been focusing on expanding programming, events and conservation-related activities since last year.

“As a Paul Smith’s College alum myself, we were so excited to have Scott raise awareness in our community about the educational and recreational opportunities at the VIC and John Dillon Park for older adults, their caregivers, and Mercy Care’s Volunteers who help their elder neighbors experience fuller lives,” said Lexi Bevilacqua, Mercy Care’s education and volunteer training manager.

The VIC property currently has over 25 miles of trails, including six miles of interpretive trails, which are surfaced for easy access and feature signs explaining the local ecology, making them accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities.

John Dillon Park, a unique park with a mission to offer free camping for individuals, friends and families with functional differences, is located half an hour south of Tupper Lake toward Long Lake. The park offers a wide range of activities accessible to all, such as surfaced pathways and trails, accessible camping and fishing.

Creating more age-friendly communities for people to age in place more successfully requires broader objectives to carry on the long-term, ongoing process of assessment, engagement and collaboration. Communities need to better plan and develop the services to meet the needs of older people, families and caregivers.

Mercy Care for the Adirondacks is a mission sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy to extend mercy to elders in order to enhance the fullness of their lives. Its work is carried out through a Friendship Volunteer Program, a Volunteer Parish Nurse Program, a Caregiver Friend Program, an Education and Advocacy Program and its Age-friendly Communities Initiative.

Mercy Care for the Adirondacks is located at 185 Old Military Road in Lake Placid. For more information, visit Mercy Care’s website at www.adkmercy.org.