Special to The Dallas Examiner
AARP-Dallas, the West Dallas Multipurpose Center, and Better Block are sponsoring a neighborhood block party at the West Dallas Multipurpose Center, 2828 Fish Trap Road on May 19, from 5-7 p.m. The free event will bring the neighborhood together to meet new and old friends and highlight two age-friendly strategies in action – an improved pedestrian-accessible walkway and easily-assembled furniture that creates a place for people to gather outdoors.
The block party includes a community resource fair, a visit by Champ, the Dallas Mavs mascot, a ballet folklorico, DJ music, food, music, door prizes, a food box distribution, a gardening demonstration, and more. Residents will join in the spirit of community and togetherness and break the social isolation adults may experience as they age. It is also an opportunity to highlight age-friendly best practices.
The recently improved pedestrian-accessible walkway connects the DART bus stop (DART Stop ID 21622) at Singleton and Fish Trap Road, to the West Dallas Multipurpose Center and the Dallas West Branch Library. The bus stop is a drop-off point for individuals, of all ages and abilities, who come weekly to the busy city complex. The walkway improvements are considered age-friendly because they increase walkability and age-friendly transportation options and improve access to the services offered at the center and library.
An age-friendly community also offers opportunities for people of all ages to participate in community life. Better Block will demonstrate the assembly of furniture that quickly creates a place for people to come together outdoors, enjoy public places and socialize. The furniture, part of Better Block’s AARP Age Friendly Collection of Wikiblock place-making furniture, assembles easily with just a rubber mallet. The furniture will be used at the block party. The collection was originally designed during the pandemic to help make places for people to gather outdoors.
Invited guests include Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, Congressman Marc Veasey, State Representative Venton Jones or their representatives, Dallas County Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia, representatives from Fire Station 36 and City of Dallas Office of Community Care staff.