West Springfield, Massachusetts Print

Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
11/11/2016

Lead Agency: West Springfield Council on Aging

Government Agency

Action Plan Download

West Springfield developed its action plan focusing on both age-friendly and dementia-friendly work, with a goal of fostering an age-friendly attitude throughout all community programs. The plan focuses heavily on expanding services and developing the built environment, with special attention to dementia-friendly design and strategies. The plan also facilitates collaboration with community service providers to establish safety nets for at-risk older adults, and improves existing recreational facilities and parks to provide new opportunities for all residents.

Action Plan Highlights

  1. Outdoor Spaces

    Improve existing recreational facilities and parks to provide safe athletic and recreational opportunities for older adults, building new walking trails, benches, picnic tables and restrooms that can accommodate residents in wheelchairs.

  2. Health and Community Services

    Catalog existing community, social, and health services, and facilitate collaboration with community service providers to establish safety nets for at-risk older adults.

  3. Transportation

    Increase walkability by implementing Complete Streets policies when completing road improvements.

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Nearby AARP Community Challenge Grantees

City of Greenfield

Greenfield, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Public Spaces

Description: A parking lot will be transformed into a vibrant pocket park and community gathering spot in the center of the downtown area. Plans include the creation of a rain garden, a new bench at an existing bus stop, a chess table with chairs and a bike pump/repair station.

MassBike

Worcester, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Transportation

Description: Bicycling will be encouraged by pairing 20 teenaged cyclists with 20 older recipients in an ongoing program that awards free e-bike. There will also be five bicycle workshops as well as group rides.

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 grantees

Connect with your AARP State Office

AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP Massachusetts State Office

One Beacon Street
Suite 2301
Boston, MA 02108
United States

Phone: 866-448-3621
Fax: 617-723-4224
Email: [email protected]