LIZ FAUST
RECREATION SUPERVISOR
55 FORWARD, PARKS AND RECREATION
MAPLE GROVE (POPULATION: 70,539)

More than 28% of Maple Grove residents are age 55 or older, up from 11% in 2000. To keep pace with this demographic shift, the city launched Age-Friendly Maple Grove (AF MG) in 2016 by joining the World Health Organization (WHO)/AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. The effort was kickstarted with grant funding from our Area Agency on Aging, which supported a consultant to help establish the initiative.

Since then, we’ve built a cross-sector team of actively engaged community members and representatives from the library, senior housing communities, nonprofit social service providers, our Area Agency on Aging, an area health system, and more. I serve as the city staff lead. Our community development team is also routinely engaged, and several other city staff and council members participate in various ways.

AF MG follows the WHO/AARP framework, which is a five-year cycle of continuous improvement. Funding comes primarily from the city and has included contributions from a senior housing community, an area health system, and the Maple Grove Lions.

Putting an age-friendly lens on city work

While the city offers a range of quality programs and services, AF MG’s role is different. One of our core functions is to help the city integrate aging considerations more routinely into existing work. For example, AF MG had a representative on a working group for a major community center redesign project, another member on the Transit Committee, and it provided stakeholder input on a recent public-realm study.

That perspective also led to practical changes, such as spurring the replacement of seating at Hennepin County service centers with chairs that have arms, backs, and a comfortable height. We’ve also re-evaluated seating in our government center with similar considerations. These decisions aren’t necessarily costly; it’s a matter of consistently applying that age-friendly lens.

Sharing resources

AF MG also connects residents to useful, reliable information. Our website offers a curated set of local and regional resources on important topics such as housing, transportation, caregiving, and volunteering opportunities.

A city-wide commitment

The city’s ongoing commitment to this work — in terms of staffing, funding, and buy-in from leaders — has been instrumental. Embedding age-friendly thinking across city planning benefits residents of all ages as the community experiences major demographic shifts.

NEIL SCHLAGEL
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
WINSTED (POPULATION: 2,240)

In Winsted, we believe strong communities are built on a foundation of care for residents of all ages. In recent years, our city has worked intentionally to create an environment where older adults can thrive, contribute, and stay engaged. An age-friendly community means not only supporting seniors with services, but also creating opportunities for connection and belonging.

A key part of this effort has been the Winsted Aging Task Force, a citizen-led group launched with support from the Southwest Initiative Foundation’s Age-Friendly Community grant, in partnership with the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA). This collaboration helped residents and local leaders identify priorities and advocate for resources.

Now known as Seniors Active in Winsted (SAW), the group secured a dedicated space for older adults. That milestone was realized in August 2024 with the opening of the Winsted Senior Center in the Vollmer Room at City Hall. The center quickly became a hub of activity, providing a place for meals, social programs, and health-related initiatives.

Fitness and friendship

One of the most successful programs to grow from these efforts is SAIL — Stay Active and Independent for Life. Offered in partnership with AmeriCorps Seniors, the fitness and wellness program is designed to improve strength and balance to reduce fall risks. SAIL has drawn consistent participation and earned recognition for its positive outcomes. By combining exercise with education, the program boosts physical health while building confidence and friendships among participants.

Collaboration is key

Partnerships have been central to Winsted’s progress. We’ve partnered with McLeod County, the local library, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Community Education, regional nonprofits, and local businesses to expand resources and programming for seniors. The city also maintains a dedicated senior services webpage and promotes opportunities through community channels.

Strengthening community ties

Perhaps the most rewarding result of this work is the way it has strengthened community ties. Older residents feel seen, supported, and valued. Families know their loved ones have a place to belong, and younger residents benefit from intergenerational connections that enrich the fabric of our city.

For Winsted, becoming age-friendly is not a project with an end date — it’s an ongoing commitment. We are proud of the steps taken so far and look forward to continuing to build a city where residents of all ages can live well, stay engaged, and feel at home.