Excelsior Springs Receives Recognition as "Community for All Ages"

*Receiving the award on behalf of the city are pictured from left to right, Shannon Stroud, City Clerk, Sonya Morgan, Mayor Pro-Tem, Sharon Powell, Mayor, and Molly McGovern, City Manager.*

The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) recently recognized the city of Excelsior Springs for their work to create a “Community for All Ages”. The award was announced at the First Suburbs Coalition meeting on Jan. 21, 2022. Excelsior Springs received Gold level recognition, which acknowledges the work the city has done to become more age-friendly. Two other cities were also honored: Grain Valley, Missouri with a silver Level designation, and Merriam, Kansas, with a Bronze Level designation.

The Communities for All Ages (CFAA) recognition program was developed by the First Suburbs Coalition and KC Communities for All Ages. These two groups were convened by MARC to develop programs and tools to support first-tier suburbs, 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 jurisdictions in the nine-county MARC region.

The recognition program’s three sequential levels of achievement reflect increasing degrees of commitment to becoming a Community for All Ages. The Bronze level recognizes heightened awareness of the issues and requires a resolution or commitment by the city’s elected body, along with community presentations and public engagement. The Silver level adds the completion of an assessment process and requires the community to appoint a resident-based committee to assess related city activities and investments. Gold, the highest level, recognizes communities that formally adopt a Communities for All Ages plan based on the assessment completed at the Silver level. Communities can maintain their recognition status by advancing to higher levels or, once the Gold level is achieved, continuing to implement new elements of their plans.

The City of Excelsior Springs is implementing a CFAA plan through the Parks and Recreation Department’s 2021 Strategic Plan. Excelsior Springs Parks and Recreation is making improvements to city parks making them more accessible to all ages and abilities. Milwaukee Street Park, which is in the planning stages, will feature an inclusive playground.

When asked about this accomplishment, Mayor Sharon Powell stated, “This has been an incredible journey. We have worked on it for several years, and many of our staff members have put in a lot of time and effort into making this a successful venture. We are already seeing many instances where we are applying the ‘age lens’ to ordinances and procedures of things we are doing for our citizens. We look forward to using Communities for All Ages as a guide in our future endeavors.”