Local Implementation Planning in Ridgewood Village Will Help Create Great Places to Age in New Jersey

October 14th, 2019 by Tanya Rohrbach

In light of an aging baby boomer population, towns across the country and state need to consider how to meet the needs of growing numbers of people over the age of 55. Aging-friendly communities are those that enable older adults to remain active, healthy, engaged, and capable of continuing to live in their communities. The built environment and land use patterns of a community are major determinants of livability factors like housing, mobility, and proximity to destinations and daily tasks. Because local decisions affect access to affordable or suitable housing, community services or employment, opportunities for social inclusion and physical activity, and transportation, New Jersey Future is engaging with municipal leaders and community members to implement community design for all ages in their towns.

As part of a two-phase program funded by The Henry & Marilyn Taub Foundation to create great places to age, New Jersey Future recently facilitated an implementation workshop in collaboration with aging-friendly coordinators from Westwood Borough, Teaneck Township, and Ridgewood Village. The leadership of Ridgewood Village has formed a steering committee to prioritize recommendations of the Aging-Friendly Land Use Analysis conducted by New Jersey Future. Going forward, the committee will work with New Jersey Future to develop an implementation plan. The workshop was the initial step in the implementation planning process and served to generate an enthusiastic discussion between Village stakeholders and decision-makers about what steps to take to ensure their community is a great place to grow up and grow old.