Three area cities recognized as Communities for All Ages

On Friday, Jan. 21, at the First Suburbs Coalition meeting, the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) honored three area cities for becoming more age friendly.

Excelsior Springs, Missouri, achieved Gold Level status, which means the local governing body applied an “age lens” to a major city plan. Grain Valley, Missouri, earned Silver Level status, which required conducting a self-assessment of age-friendly policies and actions. Merriam, Kansas, will be recognized with a Bronze Level award for approving a resolution to demonstrate their city’s commitment to participate in the program and implementing age-awareness education activities with elected officials, city staff, committees and residents.

“Excelsior Springs is honored to receive the CFAA Gold designation. As we implement new policies and programs, using the age and ability lens is now an established good practice,” said Laura Mize, neighborhood specialist for Excelsior Springs. “We are excited about our next projects: an all-abilities and all-inclusive park and playground, and a task force dedicated to maintaining and developing services to our senior community.”

The Communities for All Ages recognition program was developed by the First Suburbs Coalition and
KC Communities for All Ages — two groups convened by MARC to develop programs and tools to help communities respond to a rapid increase in the older adult population and make communities more welcoming for all age groups. The program is available to all cities and counties in the nine-county MARC region.

More information about the recognition program is available online.