The Town of Ross is a small and quaint community approximately 18 miles north of San Francisco and across the Golden Gate Bridge and nestled in the middle of beautiful Marin County.  Ross is 1.6 square miles and has 2,537 residents.  Over 26% of the residents are 60 years of age and older. (2022 American Community Survey).  The town includes approximately 880 homes, a small but charming commercial area, a beautiful Ross Commons, Ross School, Branson School, Cedars (a residential organization for adults with developmental disabilities), and two churches.

In 2018, the Town of Ross applied to become an Age Friendly community and was awarded the designation as Age Friendly in November 2018.  The Age Friendly Ross Award designation was presented to the Town Council of Ross by an AARP representative at the October 2019 Council Meeting.

In February 2019, the Town conducted a needs assessment using the questions on the Marin County Age Friendly Survey.  The survey was publicized via the town’s monthly electronic newsletter called The Morning After.  In July 2019, Collaborative Consulting, a contractor hired by Marin County to develop the county-wide Age Friendly survey, analyzed the Ross data and the results of the survey questions.  75 responses from Ross residents 60 years of age and older (about 10% of this age group) completed the Marin County Age Friendly Survey.  The two areas of greatest need that stood out in the analysis were:

·         Many Ross residents felt that there are not enough activities specifically geared to older adults and that there was a need for cultural activities for diverse populations.

·         Many Ross residents did not feel prepared for a county wide emergency.

Other needs identified included:

·         Need for better sidewalks and accessible public bathrooms

·         Need for more accessible and convenient public transportation

·         Less than half found health-related resources available and accessible, with a health and supportive services locating service being the least available.

In early 2020 the data was presented to the Ross Town Council and a taskforce was established to develop and Action Plan for 2021-2024. 

In 2025, Age Friendly Ross received recognition from the AARP for completion of their first 5 year cycle . See the complete report below.

 Moving into 2026, Age Friendly Ross is committed to the following;

• Conduct another needs assessment by 2026.

• Develop more intergenerational activities in collaboration with local schools and organizations.

• Include someone from the Ross PTO or from Ross School Administration to participate on the Age Friendly Ross Taskforce.

• Continue 4 times a year breakfast gatherings with guest speakers

• Continue the Valentine’s luncheon celebration for those over 80 years of age.

• Work with the Town of Ross and county organizations to continue providing education and exercises that addresses emergency preparedness and response.

• Work with the Town of Ross to ensure that the Commons and sidewalks are Age Friendly