Livable Communities

Black History Month presents a unique opportunity to celebrate the achievements, culture and history of the African American and Black community in February. AARP encourages everyone to celebrate Black History Month by participating in activities that teach us about the resilience and power of the black community and help us gain a better appreciation of the culture.

Project Food Forest has been named a recipient of a 2020 AARP Community Challenge grant, one of four grantees selected in Minnesota. With this grant, Project Food Forest will be making improvements to the Prairie Ally Outdoor Center by adding three commissioned sculptural trellises and two circular picnic tables.

AARP MN is proud to honor Hennepin County Commissioner, Angela Conley, during Black History Month. Her dedication and work on issues of livability, housing, equity and inclusion, community services, and civic engagement shows her commitment to a better quality of life in the South Minneapolis community. Conley has spoken at Sabathani and Nokomis AARP Healthy Aging events to join our elders and speak on her work on their behalf.

Check out the new AARP sponsored outdoor fitness park organized by FitLot at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center.

An Age-Friendly Community includes safe, walkable streets; housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life. In November, more than 500 people attended our virtual conference focused on Building Great Places for People of All Ages. Learn more about Age-Friendly Communities in action and what tools and resources are available to create change where you live. If you were unable to participate you can still access the recordings using these links:

AARP is pleased to welcome Minnesota as the tenth state to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. Membership is a commitment to engaging older residents in efforts to improve the state’s infrastructure, systems and social environment. The network provides access to resources and information on age-friendly best practices being developed and implemented in other Age-Friendly states and over 600 communities across the nation.

AARP awards community grants to 4 Minnesota organizations as part of record-breaking year for nationwide program 

Colorful new space will bring smiles to the faces of transit customers

The AARP Livable Community Team recently posted a series of photo albums, focused on AARP Community Challenge grant recipients around the country. The AARP Community Challenge has helped communities raise awareness about the need for local streets to be safe for all users, especially pedestrians.

By Cathy MacCaul, AARP Washington Advocacy Director