Grafton, WV

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Trails

Description: Grafton's Three Bridges Loop lacked safe sidewalks and resting spots, forcing walkers-especially older adults-to navigate muddy shoulders or streets. The city installed two benches and directional signage along the route and celebrated the improvements with a community event. These additions, paired with a new sidewalk and lighting, gave residents a safer, more accessible walking path. Older adults in assisted housing can now walk to a grocery store, and residents praised the project as "a beautiful addition" to the area.

Portland, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Trails

Description: This project upgraded the Canco Woods trail, making it the first wheelchair-accessible forested trail in Portland. Volunteers widened the trail and smoothed and hardened its surface. They also replaced a narrow footbridge, installed two benches and added signs announcing the trail's accessibility. Inspiration for the project came after conversations with residents about low usage of local trails. These discussions focused on accessibility needs for people who used wheelchairs, walkers, canes and strollers. Now residents who had never visited the trail before are enjoying its pond, wetlands and pine groves.

Bath, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Trails

Description: The Whiskeag Trail needed upgrades to serve older adults and reduce barriers for low-income residents. Volunteers widened two miles of trail, installed six ADA-compliant benches and built eight ramped boardwalk bridges. These improvements increased accessibility and sparked plans for universal design upgrades on other sections. One organizer noted that after a conversation with a local older adult, the volunteers added an additional bench to further improve trail walkability.