Senior Parks: Healthy Aging by Design

Senior Parks: Healthy Aging by Design Senior Parks: Healthy Aging by Design Senior Parks: Healthy Aging by Design

Senior Parks: Healthy Aging by Design

Senior Parks: Healthy Aging by Design Senior Parks: Healthy Aging by Design Senior Parks: Healthy Aging by Design

Healthy Aging

Healthy AgingHealthy AgingHealthy Aging
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Communities are aging faster than our infostructure

A practical playbook for city leaders, urban planners, architects, and aging services professionals who are ready to design parks that support the wellbeing of older adults. 

  • Paperback | $34.99 
  • Available on Amazon .

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Who is the book for?

City & County Officials

Urban Planners / Designers

Urban Planners / Designers

At Dr. Sue Paul, we started with the goal of providing the best products and services to our customers. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, we have established ourselves as a trusted brand that delivers quality every time.

Urban Planners / Designers

Urban Planners / Designers

Urban Planners / Designers

Our team is made up of experienced professionals who are dedicated to providing exceptional service. We work closely with our clients to understand their needs and provide tailored solutions that exceed their expectations.

Urban Planners / Designers

Urban Planners / Designers

Urban Planners / Designers

We offer a wide range of products that are designed to meet the needs of our customers. From high-quality electronics to stylish fashion accessories, we have something for everyone.

Urban Planners / Designers

Urban Planners / Designers

Urban Planners / Designers

We started Dr. Sue Paul with a simple goal in mind: to create a platform that makes it easy for people to connect with others who share their interests and passions. Our journey has been a long and winding one, but we're proud of what we've accomplished so far.

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What You'll Learn Inside

The Case for Senior Parks

Design Principles for Senior-Friendly Parks

Design Principles for Senior-Friendly Parks

  • Why traditional parks underserve older adults 
  • How parks function as essential health infrastructure 
  • The public health and economic upside of designing for aging 
  • The Six Tenets of Healthy Aging 

Design Principles for Senior-Friendly Parks

Design Principles for Senior-Friendly Parks

Design Principles for Senior-Friendly Parks

  • Pathways, surfacing, slopes, wayfinding, and lighting 
  • Features that support balance, strength, and safe movement 
  • Cognitive and sensory elements that aid orientation and engagement 

Implementation Roadmap for Cities

Implementation Roadmap for Cities

Implementation Roadmap for Cities

  • How to assess existing parks and public spaces 
  • Phasing strategies and budget scenarios 
  • Working with departments, partners, and funders 

Real-World Examples & Tools

Implementation Roadmap for Cities

Implementation Roadmap for Cities

  • Case studies including the SeniorScapes park model 
  • Checklists, assessment rubrics, and design prompts 
  • Templates you can adapt for your community 

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Why Cities Can't Wait

 The older adult population is growing faster than our infrastructure is adapting. Chronic disease, mobility loss, and isolation are rising just as many communities are doubling down on playgrounds for toddlers and performance spaces for athletes — while leaving older adults to figure it out on their own. 


This book reframes parks as critical public health infrastructure and offers a way for cities to: 

  • Reduce fall risk and mobility decline 
  • Support brain health and social connection 
  • Align with AARP, WHO, and age-friendly community frameworks 
  • Demonstrate visible, measurable commitment to healthy aging 

Download the Free Senior Park Readiness Checklist

Free Tool: Senior Park Readiness Checklist

  Not ready to commit to a full park project yet?  


By downloading, you’ll also receive occasional updates from SeniorScapes on senior park design, funding opportunities, and tools for cities. You can unsubscribe at any time.  


 Start with a quick, objective snapshot of how your community is doing. The Senior Park Readiness Checklist helps you evaluate:

  • Accessibility of existing parks and public spaces 
  • Availability of seating, shade, and rest points 
  • Safety for older walkers and mobility-device users 
  • Opportunities for strength, balance, and cognitive engagement 
  • Gaps that could be addressed with a SeniorScapes initiative 

GET THE CHECKLIST

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About the Author

Dr. Sue Paul, OTR/L, MBA is an occupational therapist, senior living leader, and consultant specializing in healthy aging, brain health, and the built environment. As Founder and Executive Director of SeniorScapes, Inc., she led the creation of a pioneering SeniorScapes park that reimagines what public space can be for older adults. 

Sue serves as Senior Director of Well-being and Brain Health for a multi-site senior living organization, where she develops and oversees wellness and brain health programs across ten communities. Her work bridges gerontology, rehabilitation, public health, and urban design, translating research into practical solutions for cities and organizations. 

She is a frequent speaker on healthy aging, age-inclusive design, and innovative models of community infrastructure — and believes that every community deserves at least one park intentionally designed for older adults. 





Invite Sue to Speak or Consult

This book should be required reading for every city planning department that cares about healthy aging.


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Sue offers a rare blend of clinical insight and practical design thinking. SeniorScapes is exactly what our aging communities need.”


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Ready to Explore a SeniorScapes Project?

 The book is a starting point. Many communities go on to partner with SeniorScapes to translate ideas into real projects. 

You can support cities through: 

  • SeniorScapes Park Feasibility Studies 
  • SeniorScapes Master Plan Add-Ons 
  • Citywide Healthy Aging Assessments 
  • Senior Parks Accelerator Packages 

Start Planning NOw

 Ideal for city managers, planners, architects, foundations, and aging services leaders.  

Schedule a 30-Minute Strategy Call

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