Age-Friendly Saco (2018) Print

star-24px 2018 AARP Community Challenge Grantee

Project Category

Public places
└ Accessibility of amenities
Saco is a coastal community with seven miles of sandy beaches. Until recently, there was no beach access for people using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. That changed thanks to the purchase and installation of three ADA-compliant beach mats. The mats run from a parking lot to the high tide mark, as well as parallel to the beach. Grant funding from AARP also helped Saco attract a donation from the local Rotary Club to purchase a beach wheelchair and beach walker. Lifeguards manage and loan out the accessibility equipment.

See More Projects Like This One

Fairfield Museum and History Center (2024)

Fairfield, CT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: This museum will improve accessibility in its exhibit galleries to accommodate a wider array of visitors. Additions include closed-captioned videos, audio headsets, Spanish-language translation and large-print exhibit labels.

Town of Londonderry (2019)

Londonderry, NH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: To increase accessibility in its public spaces, the Town of Londonderry installed ten park benches in the Town Common and adjacent Kent Allen Town Forest. This accessibility upgrade sparked additional work there, including drainage improvements and the addition of native plants to the forest. In addition, the local Girl Scout troop installed a story book trail at the site. Since adding the benches, the town has also seen increased trail usage.

Danforth Livable Communities (2024)

Danforth, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: This project will improve accessibility at an open-air pavilion in Danforth's downtown by adding benches and a sound system. This will make community events held in the space more welcoming for residents of all ages and abilities.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Age-Friendly Saco (2023)

Saco, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Transportation Systems Change

Description: This project will provide a flexible shuttle service as a transportation option for older residents in the region, helping them to shop for groceries, attend social events and run errands.

Age-Friendly Saco (2024)

Saco, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: HomeFit Modifications

Description: Training sessions will teach older adults how to make their homes safer and more comfortable. Experts will share best practices for home modifications, including adding grab bars, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and other assistive devices.

ABOUT THE AARP COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Launched in 2017, the annual AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to local governments and nonprofits in order to fund quick-action, ready-to-implement projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.

See all nearby projects

LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED

Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages

Visit AARP.ORG/LIVABLE
people icon

Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities

Check out the Livable Library
download icon

Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter

Subscribe now!
mail icon

Don't see your community listed?

LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORK

Connect with your AARP State Office

AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP Maine State Office

53 Baxter Boulevard
Suite 202
Portland, ME 04101
United States

Phone: 866-554-5380
Fax: 207-775-5727
Email: [email protected]