EPA Salutes Age-Friendly Places

The Environmental Protection Agency is saluting efforts of four communities to create age-friendly places.

See also: Aging in place.

The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging mapped the proximity of the city's 75 parks to senior centers, and comments from the centers' potential users will be solicited.

In Fairfax County, Va., the Department of Neighborhood & Community Services began placing physical activities for older adults in existing facilities that aren't senior centers, such as schools and churches.

Mecklenburg County, N.C., which includes Charlotte, has enlarged street signs, increased the number of crossing signals and added miles of sidewalks, bike lanes and greenway.

And Brazos Valley, Texas, now sports safer parks, a new wheelchair-accessible trail system and 10 specially designed fitness stations.

Frank McCoy is a writer in Maryland.