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Citizens' Association of Liberty Lakes (2020) Print
2020 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Accessibility of amenities
└ Accessibility of amenities
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.
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See More Projects Like This One
Camp Verde, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: After a resident complained to the mayor that she couldn't walk the 1.6-mile trail circling Camp Verde's new multi-use park and outdoor sports complex without a spot to rest, project organizers set out to add amenities to make the path more accessible. The Camp Verde Parks and Recreation Department added eight benches along the trail, placing each bench in areas popular with older adults. The local Old Guys volunteer group, which brings together retired residents with construction expertise to do community improvement projects, did the installation. As construction continues on the sports complex, project organizers say they will look for additional places to offer seating, ensuring the facilities can welcome people of all ages and abilities.
Virginia City, MT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: Virginia City's historic library and museum were inaccessible to many older adults and visitors with mobility challenges. The project funded a six-month accessibility study, including public workshops and an online survey, resulting in a detailed report with prioritized improvements. It also produced schematic designs for ramps and parking. The effort raised awareness and prompted officials to include access goals in planning documents. One older adult who is a resident said he stopped visiting because of stairs and urged changes so he could "check out books and DVDs like he used to."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Ladysmith, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: The library's outdated door openers forced many older adults and people with disabilities to struggle just to enter the building, limiting access to one of the few community spaces offering free resources. Upgrading the doorway, including the frame, buttons and hardware, immediately transformed entry into a simple independent process. Patrons reported feeling welcomed again. One longtime user exclaimed, "I can come into the building so easily... I've wanted this for years!" Foot traffic increased and the project reinforced the library's role as an accessible hub as it continues working to expand services for residents.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Belfast, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public safety interventions
Description: Two public libraries made their public spaces more inviting and functional through repairs, beautification and accessibility upgrades. In the Town of Liberty, Liberty Library improved lighting at its building entrance, which increased a sense public safety. The library also added lighting to an outdoor area already equipped with a chess and checkers table and planters. Carver Memorial Library in Searsport upgraded its electric system to allow for brighter lighting, with fixtures selected to echo the building's historic architecture. An alcove with large-print books also received custom-made shelving. Following these improvements, the libraries increased programming offerings for older adults.
Vassalboro, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: In rural Vassalboro, older adults lacked spaces for outdoor activity and fresh food access. The town created four raised garden beds and installed two benches, with volunteers and a local nursery providing soil and plants. The gardens offer a place for older adults to garden, socialize and learn, with plans for expansion and multigenerational programs. One veteran who lives in an apartment said he that was happy to participate in the project because he has no place to garden, and was excited to help encourage other older adults.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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