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City of Glidden (2019) Print
2019 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Trails
└ Trails
Glidden's Northland Park features a mile-long trail system that winds through natural grasslands, a butterfly garden, picnic areas and more. But the park sits across a major roadway from another popular site -- the city's aquatic center. To improve connectivity, City officials set out to create a way to walk from one to the other. They installed more than 600 square feet of additional sidewalk and created a crosswalk across Highway 30, complete with flashing crossing signs to alert drivers of pedestrians.
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Cascade, ID
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Trails
Description: Older residents wanted more places to rest along the Strand Trail, a two-mile route central to Cascade's age-friendly plan. Without benches, many avoided longer walks, limiting exercise and social connection. The city installed five durable benches on recycled asphalt bases, creating safe, year-round resting spots. Volunteers helped with installation and outreach to promote use. The benches encourage older adults to walk farther and enjoy birdwatching and conversations along the river corridor. One regular user said the benches mean she can walk farther because "there are now places to rest along the way."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
South Portland, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Trails
Description: The Greenbelt Trail, which serves pedestrians and cyclists, crosses several busy streets in South Portland. To make those crossings safer, Age-Friendly South Portland conducted a monthlong tactical urbanism project. They painted road delineators to separate cyclists from traffic, along with high-visibility signage to alert drivers to the crossings. Curb bump-outs decreased the distance needed for trail users to cross the street. While the fixtures were temporary, organizers gathered feedback from residents during the demonstration, which they featured in a presentation to the public works department. Project organizers report the project spurred the City to make permanent changes to one crossing.
Searsmont, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Trails
Description: Waldo County lacked accessible outdoor spaces, leaving many older adults isolated and inactive. The Gibson Wellness Walk converted 0.4 miles of riverfront into an ADA-compliant trail with a stable surface, five rest areas, accessible parking and interpretive kiosks. The trail now offers safe recreation for residents of all ages and will be maintained permanently. Community enthusiasm has prompted plans for another accessible trail. One person noted that since the trail went in, he has noticed many more people using it, including those on wheelchairs, crutches and with baby strollers.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Manning, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places
Description: Manning City Hall possesses a collection of important historical artifacts, but because of space constraints, most of them were kept in storage in the building's basement. To allow residents to see the items, the City of Manning installed eighteen glass display cases and placed them throughout the community, creating a reverse museum tour. They distributed brochures explaining how a reverse museum helps display artifacts without the cost of building a standalone facility. The leaflets also give information on the artifacts displayed, which range from small trinkets to World War II nurse's uniforms. Project organizers say the displays have inspired residents to explore their own basements and attics in search of more items to donate. The project also sparked the local library to open a designated room -- dubbed the vault -- to host larger exhibits.
Manning, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Disaster Preparedness
Description: Recent flooding and tornadoes in nearby communities underscored how unprepared many residents were for emergencies. For older adults, the lack of clear plans, supplies and shared guidance increased risks during fast-moving disasters. The City of Manning addressed this by assembling household emergency preparedness kits and hosting trainings that focused on practical steps residents could take before an emergency occurs. Attendance grew steadily as participants shared their experiences with friends, prompting additional sessions and locations. The project also extended beyond households by creating volunteer response kits and engaging workplaces and community partners. These conversations led many organizations to review their own plans and strengthened coordination with emergency responders, helping shift preparedness from a one-time lesson into an ongoing community effort.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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