Bridges Link LSC-Montgomery and Neighboring Communities

College Shares Resources and Education Through its Academy for Lifelong Learning

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- For more than nine years, Lone Star College-Montgomery has been connected to the local, older adult community with educational and social classes offered through the Academy for Lifelong Learning (ALL). However, it was not until recently, when a pedestrian bridge was constructed, that LSC-Montgomery became “physically” connected with the nearby, senior adult community of Windsor Lakes.

“Windsor Lakes homeowners are delighted to have easy walking access to the campus via the new pedestrian bridge,” said Dick Deming, president of Windsor Lakes Homeowner’s Association (WLHOA). “Many residents in our community have participated in ALL, and the bridge provides a direct, safe way to walk or bike to the facilities at LSC-Montgomery.”

The community of Windsor Lakes touches the northeast portion of the campus. The bridge, which was installed in late 2008, is an extension of the walkway system already in place within the neighborhood.

Whether for convenience or pleasure, residents use the bridge daily to come to the campus. Olive Guild, a resident of Windsor Lakes who walks to the campus via the bridge at least three times a week, said using the bridge helps her get a little extra exercise while enjoying a piece of nature along the way.

“I consider this bridge a great convenience for access to the college,” said Guild. “With frogs croaking from the ditch, herons feeding in the water, or blue birds flying around, I get to enjoy a little bit of nature activity on the way over. Often, I see Red Tail Hawks flying overhead, too.”

Guild has been a member of ALL for more than three years. Her membership allows her to take classes on a variety of topics within the ALL program, as well as grant her access to the library, theatre activities, and wellness center.

“I’ve attended classes on World War II and the Civil War, but mainly I walk to campus to use the exercise equipment at the wellness center and to attend two weekly Yoga classes,” said Guild.

ALL is a program at LSC-Montgomery that offers non-credit classes and social activities for adults 50 and over. Academy members develop friendships with a diverse group of people and learn new skills in an energizing and light-hearted atmosphere. There are no educational requirements, tests, or textbooks.

Donna Smith Burns, program manager for adult and personal enrichment, explained that while the ALL program benefits seniors across the entire county, the communities next door have a unique opportunity being placed so close – and now connected – to the college.

“We have a great relationship with the homeowners of both Windsor Lakes and Windsor Hills, as many residents in those areas are ALL members,” said Smith Burns. “In fact, some of the social activities and classes that now take place at either Windsor Lakes or Windsor Hills began as ALL classes.”

The neighborhood of Windsor Hills, located on the west side of the campus, has been physically linked to the campus for several years via a bridge and walking trail. Paul Martin, president of Windsor Hills Homeowner’s Association views the college as a true neighbor for the community.

“A lot of homeowners walk across the trail and bridge to go to the college to use the jogging trail or tennis courts and of course, take classes,” said Martin. “Then, Windsor Hills reciprocates with ALL by offering our clubhouse for classes and other college events. It’s great for the community to have such good neighbors.”

Dr. Nate Price, a retired orthopedic surgeon and active ALL member, said the short 15-minute walk from his home to the campus via the trail was an influencing factor in his decision to move to the Windsor Hills community.

“The convenience of getting to the college has been a big plus in my participation in ALL,” said Price, a frequent lecturer for the ALL program on medical and travel topics. “I walk to the college whenever the weather permits, and more often than I’d like to admit, the walk to and from is all the exercise I get.”

Both Windsor Lakes and Windsor Hills are age-restricted communities developed by The Woodlands Development Company and Lennar Builders.

According to Deming, the bridge at Windsor Lakes is owned by WLHOA; however, it was the collective efforts of The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC), Lennar Homes, the municipal utility district that owns the land, WLHOA, and LSC-Montgomery that brought it to fruition.

It seems most residents are in agreement that the footpath and the bridge have literally “bridged” a gap between the college and the communities close by. And, although not all Windsor Lakes residents are ALL members, the bridge has made it more accessible for those, like Rebecca Brown, who have plans to be.

“It is apparent that the bridge gives members of the community an easier, more practical way to exercise while walking to class or to use the library or the track or simply walk their dogs,” said Brown. “My new grandson preoccupies me a great deal now, but I anticipate joining ALL sometime soon.”

For those like Brown who would like to join ALL in the near future, LSC-Montgomery is hosting an open house/social at the college on August 29, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This will be an opportunity for any resident–in any neighborhood–to meet some of the ALL instructors, socialize with other academy members, sign up for fall classes, or simply learn more about the program.

Smith Burns said this is a great time to join ALL, since the program has added some unique and interesting classes for the fall semester including a six-session Computer Boot Camp, a series of history classes that provide participants a chance to share their own military experiences, and a set of nature and environmental classes that include everything from bird-watching and recycling to nature hikes and container gardening.

“There really is a class for everyone,” said Smith Burns. “Being a part of the ALL program is the greatest entertainment value in town.”

An annual membership fee of $35 allows members to take academy courses free of charge or at a minimal rate. In addition, membership allows utilization of the Extended Learning Center and library, access to campus Internet services, admission to various theatre activities, and an opportunity to join the wellness center for a nominal fee. The annual membership lasts from September 1 to August 31.

For more information on ALL or to obtain a fall schedule of classes, contact LSC-Montgomery’s continuing education department at 936 273-7446.