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Age-Friendly Initiative Update. (Laura Armanino, Recreation Manager)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Parks and Recreation Commission receive an update on the Age-Friendly Initiative.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
An Age-Friendly Community is an inclusive and accessible urban/rural environment that promotes active aging, supports aging-in-place and fosters a sense of community among neighbors of all ages. In June 2023, South San Francisco was recognized by AARP as an Age-Friendly Community after several months of work consisting of community engagement, project prioritization, and an application process. The Age-Friendly Community designation was made possible thanks to help from the Center for Age Friendly Excellence (CAFE) and funding from San Mateo County. CAFE partnered with City staff and the Age-Friendly Task Force to conduct community engagement, collect and analyze data, lead Task Force meetings, and write the South San Francisco Age-Friendly Action Plan. The Age-Friendly Task Force consists of representatives from around the community to inform the initiative, of which Commissioner Betty Battaglia has been the Parks and Recreation Commission’s representative.
The City conducted intensive focus groups to create a list of age-friendly project ideas to meet the goals of the eight domains of livability as defined by AARP, plus an additional domain added by the City to focus on Emergency Management. The domains of livability explored by the initiative are:
1. Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
2. Transportation
3. Civic Participation and Employment
4. Communication and Information
5. Respect and Social Inclusion
6. Social Participation
7. Community Support and Health Services
8. Housing
9. Emergency Management (added by the City)
As part of maintaining AARP’s designation recognizing South San Francisco as an Age-Friendly Community, staff re-engaged the Age-Friendly Task Force in August 2024 and began a public engagement process and survey by AARP leading to the development of a five-year Age-Friendly Action Plan, detailing goals and strategies to respond to identified needs of older adults in South San Francisco. Although the Parks and Recreation Department has been the lead department to organize the Age-Friendly initiative, it should be noted that the goals established through the course of this work involves all City departments. CAFE also conducted City departmental interviews and department representatives had the opportunity to advise on the goals established by the initiative. A draft of the action plan has been released to the Age-Friendly Task Force for review. A copy of the Action Plan is available as Attachment 1 to this report for the Commission’s awareness. Staff anticipate presenting the final plan to City Council in September 2025.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the Parks and Recreation Commission receive an update on the Age-Friendly Initiative and preview a copy of the draft South San Francisco Age-Friendly Action Plan. This initiative meets City Council’s priority of creating a welcoming and connected community.
Attachments:
1. Draft Age-Friendly Action Plan
2. Age-Friendly Update Presentation