Brainerd for All Ages

AARP-Age-Friendly-Logo-800x350About us

Lacey Baker, Public Health Educator with Crow Wing County since October 2024, is leading a growing local movement to build an age-friendly future—starting in Brainerd and reaching across all of Crow Wing County. Lacey facilitates the Brainerd for All Ages- Brainerd for All Ages fosters a welcoming and inclusive community where everyone can thrive by living a highly engaged and healthy life.

What is an age-friendly community? 

An age-friendly community is designed to support the health, safety, and well-being of people of all ages, with a special focus on older adults. That means walkable streets, affordable and accessible housing, reliable transportation options, opportunities to stay socially connected, and systems that help residents remain independent, active, and engaged in civic life.

Brainerd for All Ages is proud to be part of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities; a national movement focused on making communities more livable for people of all ages. You can learn more about this initiative here:

What We’re Doing

We began this journey by listening. In spring 2025, we conducted a community-wide survey to better understand the experiences, needs, and priorities of older adults in Brainerd. We heard from hundreds of residents who shared their insights on housing, transportation, outdoor spaces, social participation, and more.

We are now reviewing and analyzing the survey results. These findings will directly inform the creation of an Age-Friendly Action Plan with the City of Brainerd, which will outline tangible steps we can take together to improve the livability of our city and surrounding communities.

This plan will be rooted in what residents have told us they need—and shaped by the ideas and leadership of local partners. We’re identifying meaningful, cost-effective strategies that can be implemented in the near term, while also setting a vision for long-term progress.

What’s Next — and How You Can Helpcrow wing energized logo

While we’re starting in Brainerd, our long-term vision is to expand this effort across Crow Wing County, supporting age-friendly improvements in every city and township. This is not just a government initiative, it’s a community-led movement.

 That’s why Brainerd for All Ages is an open coalition. We welcome new voices and invite residents, service providers, local businesses, city officials, nonprofits, and anyone who cares about building a stronger, more inclusive community to join us.

Whether you're interested in helping host a focus group, contributing your perspective, or championing a local project, there’s a place for you in this work! Together, we can build communities where people of all ages can thrive.

Visit our page on the Crow Wing Energized website to stay up to date on our progress and find opportunities to get involved:
Brainerd for All Ages – Crow Wing Energized

 

Let’s work together to ensure Crow Wing County is a place where everyone—from age 8 to 80 and beyond—can live well, stay connected, and feel at home.


To learn more or join the coalition, contact:

Lacey Baker

Public Health Educator, Crow Wing County

Email: lacey.baker@crowwing.gov

Phone: (218) 824-1371