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Appalshop Inc. (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Trails
└ Trails
The Tanglewood Trail is a three-mile, lighted path that travels through Whitesburg's downtown. To make the trail more useable for people of all ages, Appalshop laid new blacktop to create even, at-grade pavement and installed benches at regular intervals to give people a place to rest. The path connects local businesses and allows residents to navigate downtown on foot. Project organizers say the trail will eventually connect to the 1,800-mile-long Great Eastern Trail.
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See More Projects Like This One
Quilcene, WA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Trails
Description: Busy highways left Quilcene residents without safe walking routes. The community built a 3.1-mile trail featuring kiosks, benches and interpretive signs that showcase local history, art and culture. Volunteers installed murals and a carved eagle sculpture, creating a scenic, accessible path that connects schools, parks and businesses. The trail promotes health and social connection for older adults and visitors and has sparked plans for more amenities and community events.
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AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Expanding HighSpeed Internet
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Jenkins, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Cracked sidewalks along Jenkins' main corridor made trips to the library, pharmacy and city hall risky for older adults in nearby housing. Appalshop repaired walkways and added wheelchair ramps, restoring safe access to essential services. A striking Luna Moth mural now anchors the corridor, symbolizing resilience after the 2022 flood and offering a space for reflection. Residents say the upgrades let them walk with confidence and reconnect socially, while the improvements set the stage for future projects like the planned Tanglewood Trail.
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