Macon celebrates 13th “age-friendly” status anniversary
AARP and the World Health Organization recognized Macon as the nation's first age-friendly city in 2012.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Hundreds of Macon-Bibb County residents gathered at the Macon Mall to celebrate Macon-Bibb County’s 13th age-friendly anniversary.
AARP and the World Health Organization recognized Macon as the nation’s first age-friendly city in 2012.
“That means from eight to 80 and beyond and below, our city has been designated as being friendly to all of those ages,” said Dr. Henry Ficklin, the Executive Director of Community Affairs for Macon-Bibb County.
Along with food and music, Ficklin says Wednesday’s celebration allowed residents to speak with local vendors and gain more knowledge about the resources available to them.
“We have health here, we have insurance here,” Ficklin said. “We have other kinds of educational aids. All kinds of things that people will need.”
Ficklin is a lifelong Macon resident. He says the community continues to evolve to be enjoyable for all ages, which is why it was also the first city to get its age-friendly status renewed.
“We have parks,” Ficklin said. “We have recreation. We have various kinds of things that people can get involved in. And we actually have eight various domains that people can be involved in here in Macon-Bibb County.”
AARP’s age-friendly program works with communities to develop a more walkable, livable, multi-modal and green lifestyle for its residents.
“When it’s good for an older person or a senior, it’s also good for the youth,” said Wallace White, the Associate State Director of Advocacy and Rural Outreach for AARP Georgia. “So, it’s really multi-generational.”
White says Macon’s commitment goes deeper than most communities, highlighting that Mayor Lester Miller’s budget includes a line item for age-friendly activities.
“That’s one of the only cities I know that the mayor really steps up to make sure he doesn’t just say I’m here for the seniors and older adults, he’s putting his money where his mouth is,” White said.
Whether it be having the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility, downtown redevelopment, or adding to county parks, Ficklin says Macon-Bibb continuously strives to make life more comfortable for its older adults. And he wants progress to be spurred on by ideas from Macon’s youth.
“What we want to be is age-friendly for the young, for the middle-aged, for the teenagers, for the old aged,” Ficklin said. “We want to be age-friendly completely.”
