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League of American Bicyclists Release City and State Fact Sheets to Promote Active Transportation

July 19th, 2022

As part of the Benchmarking Project from the League of American Bicyclists to report and analyze public data about biking and walking, the organization is publishing fact sheets on biking and walking for each of the 50 states and 76 cities.

The project is part of an effort to better publicize existing data to understand how cities or states can get more people safely and easily biking, walking and rolling to everyday destinations, and therefore get more people physically active. Continue reading →

City Parks Alliance Promotes Infographic, Resources to Help Communities Create Public Parks

June 1st, 2022

City parks play a vital role in the social, economic, and physical well-being of America’s cities and their residents. They also play a role in inclusive age- and dementia friendly communities.

The City Parks Alliance created an infographic listing the benefits of public parks, including access to recreational opportunities, increasing property values, spurring local economies, combatting crime, and protecting cities from environmental impacts. Parks are now recognized as powerful tools for urban communities and local economies.

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MassDOT Launches Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan and Solicits Public Feedback

May 18th, 2022

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is kicking off its 2050 Statewide Long Range Transportation Plan, entitled Beyond Mobility, by reaching out across the state to get residents to participate in an online survey. The survey is available at the following link (https://arcg.is/0HHyPD) and will be offered in all major languages spoken in Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative encourages age- and dementia friendly communities and stakeholders to complete and promote the survey in their networks to help raise the voice of older adults within the eventual plan. Continue reading →

Poll Uncovers Usage Rates, Disparities Among Older Adults Using Health-Related Apps

March 8th, 2022

Less than half (44%) of people age 50 to 80 have ever used a health-related app on their smartphone, wearable device or tablet, according to the new findings from the National Poll on Healthy Aging.

Those who say they are in poor health, and those with lower incomes or levels of education, were far less likely to have ever used such apps. Half of those who haven’t ever used a health app, or have stopped using them, said they are not interested in using them. Continue reading →

Age-Friendly Funding Alert: Shared Streets & Spaces, Commonwealth Places, Mass Cultural Council

January 12th, 2022

The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is excited to promote a fourth round of the Shared Streets & Spaces Grant Program from the Mass. Department of Transportation (MassDOT).

The program, which awards bonus points for projects that are inclusive of older adults,  provides funding to municipalities and public transit authorities to quickly implement improvements to plazas, sidewalks, curbs, streets, bus stops, parking areas, and other public spaces in support of public health, safe mobility, and strengthened commerce. Continue reading →

‘Quick and Creative Street Projects’ Report from Barr, Solomon Foundations Display Impact of Local Projects

December 8th, 2021

Among the ways communities adapted during the pandemic was to make simple, but impactful changes to streets and public spaces that spurred economic activity, improved walkability and enhanced safe gathering spaces.

The Barr Foundation and the Lawrence and Lillian Solomon Foundation released a report called “Quick and Creative Street Projects: Measuring the Impact in Mass,” which puts on display a number of local projects that made it easier to get outside, commute and meet.

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Age-Friendly Funding Alert: MassTrails, Land and Water Conservation Grant Program

December 1st, 2021

MHAC previously announced that the MassTrails grant program is open. The program provides matching grants to communities, public entities, and non-profit organizations to plan, design, create, and maintain the diverse network of trails, trail systems, and trails experiences.

As part of an announcement of information about MassTrails, MHAC learned of another funding opportunity called the Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program.

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