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City of Eastport (2018) Print
2018 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Park enhancements
└ Park enhancements
The City of Eastport wanted to give visitors to its new park an interactive, low-impact activity, suitable for people of all ages. So they installed a music part onsite. The space features several permanent, outdoor musical instruments, including a drum set and a yantzee and duet -- both of which are mallet instruments similar to a glockenspiel. The improvements are part of larger remediation efforts to transform a former landfill on Passamaquoddy Bay into Cony Park, a four-acre outdoor space.
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Cascade, MT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: The Town of Cascade created an accessible picnic area in North Railroad Park, within walking distance of many local amenities. Town staff poured a concrete pad for the site, where they installed a walled seating area with two ADA-compliant picnic tables and a new flagpole. The local garden club lent a hand by filling at the site planters with flowers. Each year, the Town evaluates the accessibility of the projects it undertakes, and town leaders are committed to providing gathering spaces where residents of all abilities can gather.
Edgemont, SD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: An abandoned tennis court in the town's only park left older adults with few options for daily physical activity. Volunteers transformed the space into two regulation pickleball courts by resurfacing and painting the area. They also installed posts and nets near the local adult center to have easy equipment access. The courts now offer low-impact exercise and social interaction, helping reduce isolation and health risks. Daily use reports and plans for tournaments signal lasting benefits for residents and visitors, who have expressed excitement that these courts are now available.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Abbeville, LA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Abbeville's Lafitte Drive-in Park is located in a neighborhood with few options for free recreational activities. To give residents a place to exercise, Abbeville Main Street created the Fit-Trail. Volunteers installed several stations along the park's walking path, each featuring a different piece of exercise equipment. The walk guides users through a series of exercises, including stretches, pull-ups, leg lifts and more. Organizers also installed signage explaining how to use each station, as well as a sign that congratulates visitors once they complete the course. Organizers say the fitness course gives residents a way to increase their physical activity, and also gives people a new reason to visit Lafitte Drive-in Park.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Bowdoinham, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The Town of Bowdoinham provided elevated planters to six residents who, because of disabilities, could not maintain traditional, in-the-ground gardens. Members of the local Masons Lodge constructed the raised beds and delivered soil to each recipient. To showcase the planters, the Town hosted a community meal featuring local produce, which included a presentation about the benefits of raised beds. In addition, the Town founded a garden club, which meets monthly.
Chelsea, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Older adults in Chelsea had few accessible spaces for social connection or healthy activities, leaving many isolated. The project transformed a schoolyard into an intergenerational garden with eight wheelchair-accessible raised beds, a convertible bench and a canopy. Residents and students planted, harvested and shared produce, which supplied the local food bank and monthly luncheons. Donations and repeat visits showed strong community engagement. Future plans include expanding raised beds and adding a permanent structure for year-round use.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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