Where We Live: 2018 Edition
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From the introduction to Where We Live: Communities for All Ages 100+ Inspiring Examples from America’s Local Leaders, the third book in the AARP Where We Live series “Some of the best ideas borrow from and build on what has been tried and tested someplace else. Learning what others are doing could be just the spark needed to make WHERE WE LIVE WE WHERE a difference where you live.” WHERE Praise for the 2018 edition of Where We Live Neighbors can party in the streets: Page 77 “The demography of our cities is and always will be a major factor of the decisions we make as mayors and COMMUNITIES the ways in which we engage with our communities. I’m grateful for the leadership and expertise of AARP as they’ve guided us in best practices and streamlined several processes for improving the lives of our aging LEADERS LOCAL EXAMPLES AMERICA’S FROM 100+ INSPIRING population. As our cities grow and age, we will be FOR ALL AGES prepared to put forth the best and most appropriate WE practices for our residents.” — Steve Benjamin, mayor, Columbia, South Carolina “Where We Live shows how, when you create a great city + for an 8-year-old and an 80-year-old, you are creating a 10 0 INSPIRING EXAMPLES successful city for all people, 0 to over 100. I commend FROM AMERICA’S LOCAL LEADERS Nancy LeaMond and AARP for publishing this book to highlight the work that communities are doing and the power of the Experienced Class in neighborhoods, towns LIVE PLUS: How the Experienced Class enhances communities through and cities.” its skills and life lessons, influence and involvement — Gil Penalosa, founder and 2018 chair, 8 80 Cities EDITION AND STORIES M Praise for the first edition of Where We Live SOLUTIONS FRO “Where We Live provides an organized set of ideas THROUGHOUT THE U.S. to spark change in communities across the country. This book shows how mayors in cities big, small, rural and urban have found countless ways to improve Alleys can be welcoming spaces: Page 102 their communities for their aging population and all residents.” — Mick Cornett, former mayor, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma WHERE YOU LIVE could be featured EDITION 2018 in the next edition of WHERE WE LIVE Tell us about your community’s inspiring livability work. AARP.org/SharingLivableSolutions Learn more and stay informed year-round by subscribing to the free, award-winning AARP Livable Communities e-Newsletter. AARP.org/Livable-Subscribe Pedestrians can safely cross streets: Page 36 D20439 BY Nancy LeaMond AARP EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNITY, STATE AND NATIONAL AFFAIRS | EDITED BY MELISSA STANTON WHERE WE LIVE WHERE WE LIVE COMMUNITIES FOR ALL AGES FOR WHERE YOU LIVE 100+ Inspiring Examples from America’s Local Leaders 2018 Edition Get a link for a free download of Where We Live by emailing By Nancy LeaMond WHERE [email protected] AARP Executive Vice President Community, State and National Affairs with the subject line Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer “Where We Live 2018 download” Editor-in-Chief Melissa Stanton Order a free printed edition Managing Editor Mike Watson WE LIVE of Where We Live at Design Director Mimi Park AARP.org/WhereWeLive Photo Editor Amy Wolff COMMUNITIES Assistant Editor Nigist Raru Read articles from Where We Live Writer-Reporters Sally Abrahms, Harriet Barovick, online at AARP.org/Livable Mary Ellen Flannery, Amy Lennard Goehner, FOR ALL AGES Patrick J. Kiger, Peter Morelli, Ellen Ryan, Jay Walljasper Contributors Betsy Agnvall, David Bruns, Judith Graham, Other AARP print and e-books are available through local and 100+ INSPIRING EXAMPLES FROM online bookstores and at AARP.org/Bookstore. Bill Hogan, Kim Keister, Erin Kirkland, John M. Martin, Rick Remington, Patti Shea, Susan Young AMERICA’S LOCAL LEADERS Copy Editors Don Armstrong, Victoria Lemley On the cover: During the summer of 2017, a temporary Art Production Steve Walkowiak parklet provided space for outdoor seating and dining in Westfield, New Jersey’s walkable downtown. Learn more 2018 EDITION Where We Live is a publication of about Westfield on page 33 and parklets on page 109. AARP Community, State and National Affairs Cover photograph: Melissa Stanton, AARP Senior Vice President, AARP Programs Jean Setzfand Back cover photographs: Van Ness Main Street, District of How the Experienced Class enhances Director, AARP Livable Communities Danielle Arigoni Columbia; City of Camden, South Carolina; AARP Hawaii (Honolulu) communities through its skills and life lessons, influence and involvement Copyright © 2018 by AARP All rights reserved AARP is a registered trademark AARP, 601 E. Street NW, Washington, DC 20049 Where We Live: Communities for All Ages celebrates work being done by communities throughout the United States, although it may not all be supported by AARP. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any By Nancy LeaMond form or by any means without the prior written permission of AARP, except brief quotations in connection with reviews written specifically for inclusion in magazines, newspapers or websites, or limited excerpts strictly for personal use. AARP EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose COMMUNITY, STATE AND NATIONAL AFFAIRS how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities CHIEF ADVOCACY AND ENGAGEMENT OFFICER and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit AARP.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media. Edited by Melissa Stanton Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While AARP, the author, liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, editor and contributors have used their best efforts in preparing including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect other damages. The fact that an organization or website is referred to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and to in this work as a citation and/or a potential source of further specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or information does not mean that AARP, the author, editor and/or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or contributors endorse the information the organization or website extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. may provide or recommendations it may make. Further, readers The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable should be aware that Internet websites listed in this work may for your situation. You should consult with a professional where have changed or disappeared between when this work was appropriate. AARP, the author, editor and contributors shall not be written and when it is read. Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 13: 978-0-9971287-3-4 Contents 4 Introduction: The Experienced Class 7 Getting Started 8 What People 50+ Think About Where They Live 10 Build Housing for All Ages 34 Provide More Ways to Get Around 52 Support Health and Wellness 72 Inspire Community Engagement 96 Create Thriving, Productive Communities 128 AARP Community Challenge 132 Index 134 Livable Library 135 About the Author 136 Just One More GARY BATTISTON, CITY OF BOSTON BATTISTON, GARY Brenda, an empty nester, and Phoebus, a Ph.D. candidate from Greece, are housemates in her Boston, Massachusetts, home. (See page 25 to learn how such intergenerational duos are finding one another.) 2 AARP | WHERE WE LIVE INTRODUCTION According to legend, pickleball was invented in the mid-1960s on Bainbridge Island, The Experienced Class Washington, by parents seeking a People age 50-plus enhance where we live through their skills and game the whole family life lessons, influence and involvement could play. In some communities, such as in Wisconsin’s Chippewa By Nancy LeaMond Valley (pictured), pickleball is muscling into locations once commanded by tennis. elcome to the third edition in the wheelchair, pushing a stroller or riding a bike, See page 55 for more AARP Where We Live series. Over the these kinds of infrastructure improvements help about fun and fitness Wpast three years, we’ve shared people stay active and get where they want and at 50-plus. hundreds of ideas that are making communities need to go. That’s what building communities across the country great places to live for people for people of all ages is about. of all ages — what we call “livable communities.” Our second goal is to make it a little easier to AARP is proud to put a spotlight on what this take action in your community. Some of the best livability revolution looks like on the ground, ideas borrow from and build on what has been 75-plus age groups will represent the fastest volunteerism can pay enormous dividends and from city and countywide initiatives to small tried and tested someplace else. Learning what growing segments in the U.S. labor market. The is an untapped resource in many communities. changes that make a big impact. Our goal for others are doing could be just the spark needed Kauffman Foundation reports that people in The civic engagement of older Americans these publications has been twofold. to make a difference where you live. their 50s and 60s start businesses at nearly twice extends to the ballot box. They are the largest First, we want to spread the word about the rate of those in their 20s — and they do so voting bloc by age. In 2016, voters age 50 and America’s changing demographics, what that The Impact of the Experienced Class for many reasons.