Contact: Kim Smith (ksmith@presqueisleme.us)

Joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities: 2018-05-04

Structure: City-staff with volunteer committee

Highlight of 2023: Creating an afternoon concert series in the garden park of a local historic house museum thanks to sponsorship from AARP Maine.  Provides opportunity for socialization, better use of underutilized asset, brings more visibility to Age Friendly Presque Isle, the 1875 Vera Estey House Museum, and promotes local musical talent.  Largest barrier was cost to provide the concerts.

Age-Friendly Presque Isle's Initiatives and Accomplishments:

Communication and Information

• Two printings of a community resource magnet

• Campaign to increase awareness of City parks

Community Supports and Health Services

• New food boxes for Veterans program

• Continued offerings by Seniors Achieving Greater Education

• New Memory Center from Area Agency on Aging

Housing

• Healthy Aging luncheon at which we demonstrated (and gave away) tools to age more comfortably and safely at home including a catalog so that users could order additional tools

Outdoor Spaces and Public Buildings

• Larger signage, new handicapped ramp, ADA restrooms included in City Hall renovation

• In the works is a downtown redesign which will take care of issue with sidewalks -new large text directional street signs for parks and public buildings

• Completed shorter paved and lit walking trail (Mary's Mile) funded in part by $8,000 AARP Community Challenge Grant

• Completion of pocket park just off Main Street at Historical Society's Victorian House Museum

Respect and Social Inclusion

• Dedicated Senior Room at the new community center

Social Participation

• 2023 concert series on Saturday afternoons funded by AARP Maine sponsorship

• With the Historical Society, created and uploaded over 40 virtual tours of historic sites around city

• Increased offerings by Historical Society in celebration of its 60th anniversary in 2023