What is Age-Friendly? “An age-friendly community is one that works for people of all ages. It allows people to go to school, work, recreate, shop, and take care of health needs without significant struggle.” (Ohio Dept of Health, 2018)

The number of adults 65+ in the United States is growing quickly. By 2034, older adults are expected to outnumber children for the first time. The City of Dayton’s Planning Division has taken charge to address this population projection head-on. Just last month, partners from The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission presented to City Commission imploring Dayton to join the AARP’s Age-Friendly Network. Acknowledging the need to make changes to be more livable for people of all ages, especially older adults, the City will join this Network and commit to a standard of livability reflected in AARP’s 8 Domains of Livability. Over the next five years, the Planning Division will conduct an assessment of the Dayton Region, create an Action Plan, implement that Plan, and then revise and revisit the progress.

For more information on the other 760 communities committed to actively making its city, town, and/or county a great place to live for all ages, see here.

Above: MVRPC Executive Director Brian Martin presents to the Dayton City Commission on Age-Friendly Communities in the Miami Valley. (May 17, 2023)

Blog post by Ellen Sizer

Mayor Mims presenting to the crowd

On May 19, 2023, the Miami Valley Cycling Summit was held at the Dayton Metro Library. The event was attended by approximately 200 cycling advocates, government officials, and community members. Hosted by the City of Dayton and Bike Miami Valley, it was a showcase of best practices in the cycling realm and was a great way to share the progress that has been made in the City of Dayton with bicycle infrastructure. While there is still plenty of progress to be made, it is hard to believe there wasn’t a single bike lane in the City of Dayton just 13 years ago. Much of the focus of the conference was on how to better connect neighborhoods to each other and to everyday destinations, building upon the top-notch riverfront trail network in the Miami Valley.

Many individuals contributed to the success of the Cycling Summit. Efforts were led by Laura Estandia of Bike Miami Valley. The team lead for the City of Dayton was Jeff Green of our Planning Division. Many others in the division worked to ensure the success of the event, including Elizabeth Dakin, Jen Hanauer, Holly Hornbeak, Ellen Sizer, and Tony Kroeger. Susan Vincent participated in or led three sessions, including a mobile workshop at the Dayton Bike Yard at Welcome Park. Other divisions and departments assisted and participated as well, including Public Affairs, Recreation, Public Works, Engagement, and Recreation.

The Miami Valley Cycling Summit is held every other year. We thank Bike Miami Valley for choosing the City of Dayton for the event, and look forward to the 2025 event in Springfield, Ohio.

Major Taylor Cycling Club was awarded Advocate of Year for an organization

Mike Bissig of Mike's Bike Park was selected as Advocate of the Year (individual category)

The event coincided with Bike to Work Day, and many people attended the summit after visiting Riverscape MetroPark

Stephan Marcellus of the Department of Rec introducing a panel

Susan Vincent introducing the ODOT team

Tony Kroeger getting people where they need to go, I guess

The final discussion after a great mobile workshop

Handing it off to the great city of Springfield, Ohio -- you have a tough act to follow!

Carly Kane and Alec Bob displaying their incredible skill

The opening for the Dayton Bike Yard at Welcome Park was held on May 20, 2023. The event was highlighted by several activities and featured:

• A Bike Parade featuring Imperial Commanding Elite Cheer, Drill & Drum
• Local food trucks and vendor & community tables
• Rent and ride a bike from Five Rivers MetroParks
• Mike’s Bike Park bike show
• A bike show
• Several special guest riders

Susan Vincent was the project manager in bringing the Dayton Bike Yard at Welcome Park to fruition. The project was successful due to a dynamic group of community and private partners -- visit the Bike Yard website for a full list of these amazing organizations.

The bike yard is open to riders of all skill levels. Located at 1437 Edwin C. Moses Boulevard, the park is open from dawn to dusk.

This incredible bike park is something to behold. For more information, please visit the Bike Yard website.

Ready to roll

Gwen Buchanan of the Carillon Civil Council

Ribbon Cutting

Wow!!!