Bethel Region, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: To provide residents with places to sit and gather, the Bethel Age-Friendly Community partnered with local artists and craftspeople to create benches and picnic tables. As a thank-you to organizations that have supported age-friendly work in the region, organizers gave the seating to partner organizations who assist with age-friendly programming, events and volunteer efforts. The benches and tables now sit in each of the six towns that make up the Bethel region. Each table is adorned with a chess board and each bench features decorations that pay homage to the town where it sits, with volunteers chipping in to paint the furniture. Organizers say they hope the project demonstrates the value of simple public space enhancements.

Berlin, NH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Transportation Other

Description: Older adults in the region often had to walk along fast, complex roadways to reach food and medical care. Many lacked access to a vehicle, making unsafe intersections a daily barrier. The Council used new traffic calming equipment to stage a pop-up at a busy Jackson intersection They temporarily converted a confusing Y-shaped layout into a clearer T-intersection with added crossings, lane markings and reclaimed space for public use with benches and tables. The demonstration helped residents and leaders visualize safer designs and showed how reducing conflict points can improve comfort for people walking or cycling. The project has increased interest in similar pop-ups across the region, and the reusable equipment will support ongoing demonstrations that inform future planning and possible capital improvements.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.