PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The City of Presque recently became one of nearly 50 communities in Maine that are recognized as part of AARP Maine’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities. Local officials are now exploring ideas to make the city even more accessible to the increasing number of aging residents who want to live and be active in the community.
After gaining approval from city councilors and submitting an action plan to AARP, Presque Isle officials received word about its age-friendly community certification in May. The city is now the second community in Aroostook County, after Caribou, to become “age friendly,” with Limestone also seeking certification.
City Manager Martin Puckett noted that Presque Isle has taken steps throughout the last several years to encourage participation by elder residents in economic and social aspects of Presque Isle. Recent changes in zoning have allowed for apartments on Main Street aimed at decreasing walking distance and transportation costs for aging residents who seek services in or close to the city’s downtown region.
“For many seniors, living downtown can give easier access to shopping opportunities, healthcare services as well as the community center and activities that occur in that area,” Puckett said.
In the last U.S. Census in 2010, the percentage of people living in Presque Isle between the ages of 55 and 64 had increased 45 percent from 1,275 to 1,443. The number of city residents aged 65 years and over increased 4 percent from 1,508 to 1,574.
Statewide, the number of individuals aged 55 to 64 increased 56 percent from 123,187 in 2000 to 192,101 in 2010. The number of Mainers aged 65 and over increased 15 percent from 183,402 in 2000 to 211,080 in 2010.
With those statistics in mind, the city is now considering establishing a city-wide bus route that would regularly make stops at seniors’ homes and bring them to downtown Presque Isle to shop, attend healthcare appointments and have access to other community services and activities. The idea is still in the development stages, Puckett said, but noted that other communities in Maine have successfully implemented similar transportation systems.
“I know that in Bucksport, they set up a route where the bus goes right to people’s homes, brings them to downtown and then picks them up at designated spots in town,” Puckett said. “I think the idea would be well received by the public.”
By promoting a Network of Age-Friendly Communities and States, AARP Maine hopes to “help people live easily and comfortably in their homes and communities as they age,” increase senior participation in social and civic activities, and create opportunities for both seniors and members of younger generations to connect with one another in safe environments.
Communities that gain age-friendly certification have access to technical support and assistance with volunteer recruitment, and are eligible for small grants to help with the planning and implementation of programs and initiatives.
Presque Isle already has taken steps to improve the lives of seniors living at home by being part of the Fort Fairfield Housing Authority’s home modification program and hopes that the future opening of a new playground on Riverside Drive will increase outdoor activity choices for both seniors and the youngest members of their families.
The city recently applied for an AARP Community Challenge grant of $40,360 for the purchase of eight Americans With Disabilities Act-compliant tables and benches for children and adults, a shade structure to cover the table area, six trash cans, signage to indicate the various amenities of the playground and a solar-lit crosswalk at the three-way intersection of Chapman Road and Riverside Drive.
The extra lights at the crosswalk would make the area “more visible and safer” for people of all ages and “increase connectivity to the bike path, the park, the Sargent Family Community Center and downtown region,” according to Kim Smith, public information officer and grant writer for Presque Isle. She expects to hear from AARP in regards to the grant results by the end of this month.
“There are currently not enough funds in the city budget for those purchases, so we hope that AARP will see the value in improving the crosswalk and enhancing the park for all community members,” Smith said.
Andrew Perry, programmer for the Sargent Family Community Center, noted that the center puts on many weekly activities for seniors such as knit and stitch, music jams and a bridge group, and that the center always is looking for new ideas to expand offerings.
“We always welcome seniors to come use the space even when we don’t have senior-oriented activities going on,” Perry said. “The center has become a hub for seniors to find out about events going on in the community as well.”
