Searsmont, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Trails

Description: This project created new seating, trailhead kiosks with information about the area and new accessible parking spots at an existing riverfront trail.

Glidden, IA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Trails

Description: Glidden's Northland Park features a mile-long trail system that winds through natural grasslands, a butterfly garden, picnic areas and more. But the park sits across a major roadway from another popular site -- the city's aquatic center. To improve connectivity, City officials set out to create a way to walk from one to the other. They installed more than 600 square feet of additional sidewalk and created a crosswalk across Highway 30, complete with flashing crossing signs to alert drivers of pedestrians.

Sullivan, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Trails

Description: Sullivan has a network of hiking trials but lacked options for people with mobility challenges. To give residents of all ages and abilities a place to walk, Age-Friendly Sullivan installed an accessible walking trail at the Sorrento-Sullivan Recreation Center. First, volunteers worked to prepare an underused area on the rec center's property, creating drainage culverts and mowing grass. Then they spread crushed gravel to create a hard, flat trail surface. Before, the recreation center offered several amenities aimed at children and youth, including a playground, basketball courts and a skate park. The trail represents an offering people of all ages -- including older adults -- can use. Since creating the trail, the age-friendly initiative has worked with partners to add benches, fitness equipment and a story walk along the route.