Bonner Springs recognized as a Silver Level Community for All Ages

To achieve Silver Level status, Bonner Springs used an “age-friendly lens” to conduct self-assessments in the areas of transportation/mobility, outdoor spaces and public buildings, housing, community and health services, communication and social engagement. The city explored specific initiatives, including:

• Accessibility of parking at public buildings and placement of park benches.
• Universal design incentives for developers.
• Transportation infrastructure and training.
• Informing the public about accessibility at city parks.
• Promoting volunteer opportunities and providing flu vaccinations. 

To date, 22 jurisdictions in the Kansas City metro area have achieved distinction as Communities for All Ages: six Bronze, six Silver and 10 Gold. 

The Communities for All Ages recognition program was developed by the First Suburbs Coalition and KC Communities for All Ages — two groups convened by MARC to develop programs and tools to help communities respond to a rapid increase in the older adult population and make communities more welcoming for all age groups. The program is available to all cities and counties in the nine-county MARC region.