PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The City of Presque Isle was recently awarded membership in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities (AARP-NAFC).
Presque Isle is the 243rd community to enroll in the network, and Maine has the most member communities of any state, said Kim Smith, Presque Isle public information officer and grant writer.
The city will receive its official letter of welcome and certificate soon, she added.
Municipalities interested in membership must demonstrate via an application process that they encourage greater age integration and diversity and create a community that supports residents from cradle through retirement, said Smith.
Through the AARP-NAFC program, AARP helps participating communities become great places for people of all ages by adopting such features as walkable streets, better housing and transportation options, access to key services, and opportunities for residents to participate in community activities.
“While many communities adopt policies like this without joining this program, the network provides a structured process to guide community change and helps serve as a catalyst to educate, encourage, promote and recognize improvements that make communities supportive for residents of all ages,” said Smith.
“Enrollment as a member provides communities with the resources to become more age-friendly by tapping into national and global research, planning models and best practices,” said said. “In addition to the research and planning resources, membership also opens up grant funding for specific projects to the city.”
The Network of Age Friendly Communities began in April 2012 and is an independent affiliate of the World Health Organization’s Age Friendly Cities and Communities Program.
