Walton County, Florida Print

Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
5/10/2019

Lead Agency: Walton County

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. Housing

    Create more affordable housing by assisting local governments with planning and development of affordable housing policy and systems changes and promoting affordable housing development among home builders and real estate developers.

  2. Outdoor Spaces

    Enhance the built environment by identifying practical improvements, new interventions, and health promotion enhancements, and engaging new partners to promote healthy places to live, learn, work, and play.

  3. Health and Community Services

    Establish and coordinate injury prevention campaigns to reduce disparities in at-risk populations and enhance community partnerships to identify, prevent, and reduce the spread of diseases and disparities in at-risk populations.

Progress Report Download

Walton County's age-friendly progress report describes the community's work to create more inclusive parks, improve walkability and improve health care access, disaster preparedness and food access. The county increased amenities at its parks and installed improved park signage. Additionally, the county expanded community programming offered through its parks and recreation department. Improvements to intersections and sidewalks supported pedestrian safety, and the county worked towards implementing its Complete Streets goals. To support disaster resilience, the county's Community Emergency Response Team gained members. A new access point -- open 24 hours a day, seven days a week -- allows residents in need to receive emergency food assistance. Finally, the county supported community health, creating a residency program to train needed primary care physicians, installing defibrillators in public spaces and offering health and fitness classes at senior centers.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Walton County Board of County Commissioners (2022)

Santa Rosa Beach, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: This project created a gaming area -- including a ping-pong table, cornhole game and checkers/chess table -- at the Coastal Branch Library in an existing green space.

Waukesha Way Inc. (2025)

Bonifay, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Public safety interventions

Description: Waukesha Way set out to improve walkability in areas where older adults struggled with unsafe crossings and limited places to rest. The team painted five high-visibility crosswalks and added ten benches that made moving through downtown safer and more comfortable. These changes encouraged more physical activity and helped residents spend time in public spaces with confidence. A volunteer noted how small improvements can spark big change, reinforcing the value of bringing people together to refresh key areas. The work strengthened community pride, supported long-term walkability goals and laid the groundwork for future enhancements such as shaded seating and murals.

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 Florida State Office

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United States

Phone: 866-595-7678
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