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Age-Friendly South Portland (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Trails
└ Trails
The Greenbelt Trail, which serves pedestrians and cyclists, crosses several busy streets in South Portland. To make those crossings safer, Age-Friendly South Portland conducted a monthlong tactical urbanism project. They painted road delineators to separate cyclists from traffic, along with high-visibility signage to alert drivers to the crossings. Curb bump-outs decreased the distance needed for trail users to cross the street. While the fixtures were temporary, organizers gathered feedback from residents during the demonstration, which they featured in a presentation to the public works department. Project organizers report the project spurred the City to make permanent changes to one crossing.
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Stafford, CT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Trails
Description: The Citizen's Advisory Committee partnered with the Town of Stafford to increase recreational opportunities for residents of all ages. To do this, they created the River Walk Trail within Hyde Park. Volunteers worked to construct the trail, excavating the route, installing a fabric barrier and covering it with aggregate stone. The River Walk runs along the Middle River, carrying visitors between Stafford's lively shopping center, past Hyde Park and into nature. This is really about...building a sense of community, said Donna Wright, a member of the Stafford Citizen's Advisory Committee.
Thibodaux, LA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Trails
Description: To encourage residents and visitors to walk and bike, the City of Tampa installed benches and bicycle racks, both downtown and along the Menard Pedestrian Bike Trail.
Carbondale, CO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Trails
Description: The local age-friendly initiative worked to plant a new garden along the Rio Grande Trail. The garden features drought-resistant pollinator plants. To give trail users of all ages and abilities a place to rest, volunteers also installed ADA-accessible under shade trees.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
South Portland, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety
Description: The local age-friendly initiative conducted awalk audit to identify ways to improve safety on the Green Belt Trail. Volunteers also installed signage to help visitors navigate the trail. To inform the public about how to use the route, Age-Friendly Portland produced a segment for air on local access television.
South Portland, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Emergency preparedness skills
Description: This project will promote emergency preparedness, focusing on the needs of older adults. Displays at community events and workshops will teach residents how to make an evacuation plan and kit.
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