Tag Archives: community design

First-of-its-Kind Rural Policy Plan for Massachusetts Includes Age-Friendly in Recommendations

Data and Reports, ,

The state’s Rural Policy Advisory Commission engaged in a comprehensive program of research and outreach over a two-year period, including listening sessions at ten locations across the Commonwealth in late 2018 and continuing in 2019 with over 20 focused stakeholder meetings to refine the information and develop the recommendations in
this first of its kind Rural Policy Plan for Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is excited that the Commission accepted its recommendations along with input from cities, towns and stakeholders in MHAC’s network to encourage rural communities to join the Age-Friendly movement – specifically pursuing the Age- and Dementia Friendly Community Compact Program.

The Community Compact is a best practice initiative for municipalities and regions established by the Baker Administration. This program has the potential for funding support and technical assistance. One of the choices among the best practices is Age-and Dementia Friendly.

The inclusion of Age-Friendly in this report also speaks to the state’s Age-Friendly Action Plan, which endeavors to embed “aging in all policies” across agencies and initiatives.

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AARP Newsletter on Shared Community Spaces Highlights Swampscott Best Practice

Stories from the Field, ,

In their recent newsletter, AARP Livable Communities shared a number of examples of cities and towns that co-located facilities to save costs and encourage inter-generational activity.

Among the examples is a co-located high school and senior center in the town of Swampscott, Mass. Continue reading →

Age-Friendly Funding Alert: Safe Routes to Schools ‘Signs and Lines’ Program

News and Updates, ,

The Safe Routes to Schools “Signs and Lines Program” from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will provide design services and up to $6,000 in construction funding to a selected municipality for a low-cost infrastructure project around a public elementary or middle school. For any communities working to become more age- and dementia friendly and have – or are seeking – partnerships with local schools, this is a great opportunity to create inter-generational activity. Continue reading →

AARP Hosting Virtual Placemaking Workshop

News and Updates,
The 2019 AARP Livable Communities Placemaking Workshop will showcase the many ways local leaders and community volunteers can help to create public spaces that are vibrant, welcoming, safe and accessible.
Workshop attendees will:
  • learn about the economic, social and health impacts of placemaking
  • be introduced to examples of infrastructure-intensive placemaking efforts that have successfully transformed a city, town, street or neighborhood for the better
  • see how smaller, temporary “pop-up” demonstration projects (including parklets, bike lanes, plazas and alley “activations”) can be used to inspire a community
  • gain strategies and tools for implementing placemaking projects

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Boston Celebrates Age-Friendly Bench Program

News and Updates, , , , ,

Mayor Martin J. Walsh, along with the City of Boston’s Age Strong Commission, Public Works, Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, AARP, Tufts Health Plan Foundation and WalkBoston celebrated the Age-Friendly Bench program in Grove Hall. The program expands the number of benches across the city, with a particular focus on raising the availability of resting locations for older adults. Continue reading →

American Planning Association Accepting National Planning Awards Submissions for 2020

News and Updates

The American Planning Association’s National Planning Awards honor planning efforts, initiatives, and individuals working to make communities of lasting value for all. Award recipients are celebrated annually at APA’s National Planning Conference during a special luncheon. This represents another opportunity for Age- and Dementia Friendly Community work to be recognized!

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MassDOT Announces State Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

Data and Reports, News and Updates, ,

Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack recently joined Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, members of the Massachusetts Legislature, local officials, and transportation advocates at a groundbreaking event in Natick to release the State Bicycle Transportation Plan and State Pedestrian Transportation Plan and to celebrate the start of construction on the latest segment of the Cochituate Rail Trail.

Access the full Bicycle Plan and the full Pedestrian Plan. Continue reading →

AARP Community Challenge Announces National and Local Grantees

News and Updates, ,

AARP announced the awardees for its 2019 AARP Community Challenge grant program, including four recipients right here in Massachusetts.

Nationally, a total of nearly $1.6 million will be distributed to fund 159 “quick action” projects across the country, helping communities make immediate improvements and jumpstart long-term progress to support residents of all ages. Nearly 1,700 applications were received from non-profits and government entities for the program, now in its third year. Each of the projects, which must be completed by November 4, is designed to achieve one or more of the following outcomes: Continue reading →