BELLVILLE — A deep blue, sunny sky Wednesday welcomed Jenny Carlson’s comparison of Bellville to another kind of heavenly body.
“Bellville is a shining star example with everything we want to be with a strong sense of community (and) a commitment to liveability … the village is showing the rest of Ohio how to reimagine aging in place,” Carlson said.
The state director of the American Association of Retired People was in town for a ceremony at the village bandstand as Mayor Teri Brenkus signed a letter of intent to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.
The southern Richland County village of about 2,000 residents became the 37th Ohio community to join the network — the first since Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine created the statewide designation in September — and the 13th state to do so since the program began in 2012.
(Below are photos taken Wednesday morning during a ceremony to mark the Village of Bellville’s intent to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. The ceremony included remarks from AARP Ohio State Director Jenny Carlson, Bellville Mayor Teri Brenkus and Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging CEO Duana Patton. The story continues below the photos.)
The AARP is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that acts as a lobbying group, advocating for the interests of Americans age 50 and over on issues such as Social Security, Medicare, prescription drug costs, and fraud prevention at local, state, and federal levels.
Over a five-year period, the AARP network helps local community leaders and residents design and implement strategies to support healthy aging in areas that shape daily life, from housing and transportation to social participation and health services.
Carlson said Bellville is known as a safe place for families and “a great place to raise kids.”
“Becoming a part of age-friendly Ohio means creating communities where people of all ages can thrive. Bellville is showing what it means to plan ahead for every generation. It means safer streets, better transportation and stronger social connectivity from age 8 to 88,” she said.
“Today’s designation is more than a milestone. Bellville is launching a five-year plan. It’s a planning process to listen to residents and shape the community that is so important to all of you and important to AARP Ohio,” Carlson said.
“So we’re going to double down and support you with resources. AARP is here to support Bellville every step of the way, with training, technical assistance and community grants,” she said.
According to the AARP, the median age in Bellville is 40 years old. As of 2024, 22 percent of the village’s residents are 65 or older. The lobbying agency said that’s 10 percent higher than Mansfield and 25 percent higher than the state average.
Bellville Mayor Teri Brenkus said the event marked an important step for the village in building “a community where every generation, especially our older residents, can thrive, stay connected and age with dignity right here in Bellville.”
“We’re proud to be a part of a growing movement that recognizes the value and contributions of older adults, and we are committed to creating an age-friendly village,” the mayor said.
“This collaboration isn’t just about programs and policies. It’s about people, our people, grandparents, neighbors and friends, and ensuring that Bellville remains a place where everyone feels at home no matter their age.
“I want to thank AARP and the Area Agency on Aging for their guidance and support as we began this journey together. Your partnership brings not only expertise, but a shared vision of a stronger, more inclusive future for our village,” Brenkus said.
Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging CEO Duana Patton said her agency is fully committed to assisting Bellville in the process.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be right here today with all of you with Jenny and with the mayor (and) leaders here from the community to kick off age-friendly Bellville,” Patton said.
“This is a national and a state movement, and we should feel very excited and motivated to do something right here in Bellville. It’s already happening. We see it every day. I came in from Mansfield and I see such great things happening here. I see tremendous potential for what we can do if we do it together,” she said.
“This community is rich in things that it has to offer all individuals who live and visit in Bellville. It is rich with passion and people who care about Bellville as it is today and what it can be in the future,” Patton said.
“The Area Agency on Aging is committed to this movement, to this process, to work with the mayor and leaders here in Bellville, to work with the folks at AARP who care about an age-friendly community,” she said.
Immediately after the signing ceremony, residents and leaders gathered for a community conversation and visioning workshop, co-hosted by AARP Ohio. That marked the official kick-off of the planning process, inviting community members to share their needs and ideas.