Two area cities recognized as Communities for All Ages

The latest cities to be recognized for their age-friendly efforts are Olathe, Kansas, which received a bronze level designation, and Roeland Park, Kansas, which received a gold level designation. The Mid-America Regional Council honored the two cities at the First Suburbs Coalition meeting on April 19.

To advance to gold level recognition, the city of Roeland Park applied an “all-ages lens” to the R Park Phased Development Plan. To receive the bronze level designation, Olathe’s city council adopted a resolution in support of the city’s commitment to be recognized as a Community for All Ages; gave presentations to raise awareness of aging issues to elected officials, city staff and residents; distributed materials on livable communities throughout the city; and created a section of the city’s website dedicated to Communities for All Ages.

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 support first-tier suburbs, 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 jurisdictions in the nine-county region.

For information, contact the KC Communities for All Ages Project Manager at 816-701-8246.