Royal Oak, Michigan Print

Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
2/28/2019

Lead Agency: City of Royal Oak

Government Agency

Action Plan Download

An action plan is based on the results of community surveys identifying needs within the 8 Domains of Livability that influence the health and quality of life of older adults. While there is flexibility in how a plan is created and what it will do, every action plan includes a statement about what can be achieved, target dates for goal completion, identification of participating organizations and indicators to measure progress. The action plan is an "active" rather than static document. Revisions and amendments are a sign of program improvement and progress.

Action Plan Highlights

  1. Outdoor Spaces

    Provide older adult-friendly activities and fitness equipment in parks and public places.

  2. Transportation

    Encourage road safety by improving visibility of street signs and road markings, increasing major road pedestrian crossings high visibility crosswalk markings, darkening lane markings and educating the community on new traffic features upon install.

  3. Communication and Information

    Ensure that community engagement reaches all types of older adults, from the active and digitally literate to the isolated and homebound, by providing people with digital assistant devices, expanding computer training and establishing a central source for all information.

Progress Report Download

Royal Oak completed multiple age-friendly actions across all domains. The city installed accessibility buttons and added handicap parking in the 11 Mile parking structure, upgraded senior center entry doors and bathrooms with major ADA improvements, and added ADA compliant benches and picnic tables in Erb Park. Audible pedestrian signals were installed, pedestrian islands added, and new accessible pathways built in parks. The city conducted walking audits, improved downtown benches, and created a dedicated senior fitness room. Senior transit provided 6,226 rides, and new bike repair stations were added. Communication improved through updated website navigation and expanded Senior Times outreach. The senior center expanded programs, added new classes, hosted major events, and delivered thousands of meals, trips, and support services.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

City of Royal Oak (2024)

Royal Oak, MI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: Older adults and people with disabilities struggled to enjoy outdoor spaces at the Senior Center because benches and tables were unsafe and inaccessible. The city replaced them with ADA-compliant picnic tables and benches on hard-surface paths, creating safe spots for socializing and respite near the arboretum. These upgrades complement major park investments and encourage older adults to gather outdoors and participate in programs. A spring Arbor Day event will showcase the improvements, reinforcing long-term plans for inclusive public spaces.

The Association of Chinese Americans Inc. (2021)

Madison Heights, MI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: The Love Garden at the Chinese Community Center is popular with Madison Heights residents. To make the space more accessible and welcoming, the Association of Chinese Americans expanded the garden with a greenhouse, gazebo and new benches. The greenhouse enables the organization to grow more plants and involve new community members, and serves as a service and storage area for the annual Healthy Gardening Fair. With its contemplative environment, the gazebo offers an inviting, safe gathering place for community members to gather for meditation, Tai-Chi and light exercise. Organizers hope the upgraded amenities help improve residents' physical and mental health.

ABOUT THE AARP COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Launched in 2017, the annual AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to local governments and nonprofits in order to fund quick-action, ready-to-implement projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.

See all nearby projects

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AARP Michigan State Office

309 N. Washington Square
Suite 110
Lansing, MI 48933
United States

Phone: 866-227-7448
Fax: 517-482-2794
Email: [email protected]