Winter Haven, Florida Print

Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
10/12/2015

Lead Agency: Lake Silver Recreation Center (Senior Center)

Senior/Community Center

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

    Focus on aging in place and keeping residents in their existing neighborhoods by promoting grant programs for home modifications, identifying incentive programs for developers, such as grants and waivers for impact feees, utilites and infrastructure, and locating new affordable and accessible housing units that are centrally located.

  2. Outdoor Spaces

    Focus on facilities for older adults by renovating the existing senior center to be ADA compliant, adding older adult playground equipment, shuffleboard and pickleball courts to existing parks, conducting an age-friendly facility audit of public buildings and spaces, and incorporating age-friendly design features into new facility, renovation, and public works projects.

  3. Transportation

    Prioritize pedestrian safety for older adults by assessing crosswalks for accessiblity and safety, implementing bicycle lanes and trails, creating an inventory of community-wide transit and transportation options for older adults, and increasing transportation providers for people with disabilities and older adults.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

City of Lakeland (2023)

Lakeland, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Trails

Description: Lakeland's Dixieland neighborhood lacked a safe route for older adults to reach Drane Park and nearby shops. The Hillcrest Street Connection added ADA ramps, striped crosswalks, speed humps and flashing beacons at key intersections. They also installed wayfinding signs linking three major walking and biking routes. These upgrades slowed traffic and improved safety, making it easier for residents to walk and connect with the broader trail network. As one neighborhood leader said, "The two speed bumps and the new crosswalk improvements have made this safer for both motorists and pedestrians."

Black Empowerment & Community Council (2025)

Kissimmee, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Digital navigation skills

Description: This project will transform a minivan into a mobile resource hub, delivering digital literacy, health resources, financial education, and disaster preparedness to over 1,500 older adults in Osceola County.

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

360 N. Central Avenue
Suite 1750
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
United States

Phone: 866-595-7678
Email: [email protected]