See More Projects Like This One

Tampa, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: Carrollwood Cultural Center hoped to allow more people to enjoy its theatrical, dance and art programming. To make its offerings more accessible, the Center installed an assistive-listening system and hired audio describers. Additionally, they invited the Blind Visionaries multimedia group to perform. To further welcome blind and low-vision arts lovers, they also staged a tactile and audible art exhibit onsite.

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.

Liberty, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: Getting into the water at Liberty's popular public beaches has always been treacherous, especially for older people and those less able to navigate the slippery, uneven granite ledges at the shore. To make two local lakes more accessible, the Citizen's Association of Liberty Lakes added new steps and handrails. Designed to be removed at the end of each beach season, the non-skid steps and handrails at Steven's Pond are made of aluminum. The custom handrail at Lake St. George is bolted to the ledge, partly underwater. The Association also added picnic tables and benches for year-round use at both sites. I'm so glad you put in this handrail for us older adult swimmers, one visitor told project organizers. I used to dread navigating the slippery rocks to get my swims. Now I can feel safe. Organizers also say the project strengthened cooperation between the Citizens' Association and the Town of Liberty.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Montpelier, VT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: To provide a place for cyclists and walkers to rest and socialize, this project developed a pocket park along an existing bike path. Guertin Pocket Park features a pergola -- a wooden structure with a roof -- to provide shelter from the sun or rain. Project organizers also incorporated seating and bike racks, as well as a rainwater collection system that feeds a small decorative garden. In 2021, the city decided to move the pocket park to a new location in the heart of downtown.

Montpelier, VT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: This project created a pop-up produce stand to distribute affordable food from Montpelier's city farm. Additionally, the City made improvements to an area outside its older adult center to create a space for weekly outdoor gatherings.

LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED

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

people icon

Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities

download icon

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

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 Vermont State Office

199 Main Street
Suite 225
Burlington, VT 05401
United States

Phone: 866-227-7451
Fax: 802-651-9805
Email: [email protected]