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Age-Friendly Communities of the Lower Kennebec with City of Bath (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
Organizers with Age-Friendly Communities of Lower Kennebec and City of Bath hoped to create inclusive public spaces for residents of all ages to enjoy. They worked with students to install outdoor chess and checkers tables at a new downtown plaza and a near a local assisted living facility. The tables are ADA accessible include benches designed for people of all ages and abilities. A spectator bench allows onlookers to take a seat and watch the players. To ensure all community members can play, game sets are available for loan at the local library and nearby businesses.
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Readfield, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Organizers with Age-Friendly Readfield knew their town was in need of a facelift. To help meet the needs of residents facing food insecurity, they provided a local food bank with a sandwich sign board, rolling delivery cart and new cooler. They also upgraded the town library's outdoor space by adding Adirondack chairs and tables. Finally, they provided chairs and a kayak dock for Readfield's beach. A multigenerational group of volunteers cleaned up both the library park and beach. Organizers say these same volunteers will now be involved in programming at both outdoor spaces.
Kansas City, KS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Kansas City's Rosedale neighborhood has lacked a community center for some time, so the Rosedale Development Association renovated and reopened a community meeting space. They added flooring, a barrier-free threshold to provide easy access for people with mobility limitations and a wall anchor system for displaying art and historical artifacts The space now hosts community events, including coffee and conversation meet-ups, adult education classes, yoga sessions and youth activities.
Ossipee, NH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project built a covered pavilion with benches to provide shade and a gathering place.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Bath, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing
Description: To inform residents about the benefits of accessory dwelling units, the local age-friendly initiative launched an educational campaign. ADUs consist of a second housing unit -- including self-contained apartments, cottages or small houses -- constructed on a property alongside a preexisting single-family home. Organizers produced a multimedia package, including an ADU toolkit, video content, a website and social media posts.
Bath, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Trails
Description: This project widened and stabilized the Whiskeag Trail. As additional trail improvements, it also widened bridges and added ramps installed ADA-compliant benches and updated the emergency system.
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