Seniors old hat from now on in RO.

Though I believe confining the block grants to our senior programs was wrong omitting the growing senior population who use our CBD and downtown park to walk through has always seemed disrespectful and short sighted to me.
To get an idea what other cities who recognize the growth of their senior population are doing to make their downtowns more ergonomic and friendly to those over 65 google: "making cities more senior friendly" to get an idea of how behind Royal Oak really is. Within walking distance of Barton Towers where seniors have worked hard to clean up the park adjacent to the E-Magine. the volunteers would appreciate if the city could find a little funding for those willing to plant in their neighborhood parks using the once a year large selection of plants, flowers and garden art found in our Chamber of Commerce sponsored Art in Bloom, held this Sunday. 
Just one example of the many things that can and in some cases need to be done to make our downtown more attractive and supportive to a senior population.
Additional benches, curb cuts and longer walk lights are just a few of many things can be accomplished with little money compared to what it costs to fund senior center programs that should ideally be self supporting.
The city could also look into promoting a senior tuesday, or any one day of the week when participating restaurants, businesses, and movies can offer generous discounts similar to what is already done at the Salvation Army on Fourth. Handicapped meters could also offer more time for a quarter on a meter than surrounding meters. On that singular day it would be nice to instruct parking cops to allow an extra ten minutes after a meter is expired just to be fair to downtown shoppers of all ages on just that one day.
Directly in front of our library there are no benches only walls to sit on. Only one solitary bench serves the Stardream Fountain area Larger cities offer downtown boccie ball, or croquet as well as chess and checker tables.
I am happy to see more neighborhood parks and tennis courts receiving a long overdue makeover after years of neglect by a CBD focused commission. In this case the squeaky wheel finally got some grease. Next target should be the library with more easily accessible and cheaper handicapped parking aimed at seniors, as well as the Stardheam Fountain path heavily used by both young and old although there are scant places to sit and socialize in what should be a mini park.