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Eco El Paso (2020) Print
2020 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Community Health and Economic Empowerment
└ Public place improvements to withstand extreme weather events
└ Public place improvements to withstand extreme weather events
As part of its Million Trees El Paso initiative, Eco El Paso planted 88 native and drought-tolerant trees along the Paso Del Norte Trail. In addition, the organization improved wayfinding along the trail, which passes through the city's Thomas Many neighborhood. The City lent a hand in the effort, removing dead trees and making needed irrigation repairs. El Paso has less tree canopy cover than many other communities, with an average of fewer than three trees per acre. Project organizers hope the new trees help cool the neighborhood and combat the urban heat island effect, making walking more comfortable for residents. The City later cited the success of the project in its efforts to secure bond funding for future tree planting efforts.
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See More Projects Like This One
Davenport, OK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public place improvements to withstand extreme weather events
Description: The town will provide portable generators and carbon monoxide detectors to older adult residents. This will keep residents -- especially those with electronic medical devices -- supplied with power during storms and other disasters.
Gulfport, MS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Public place improvements to withstand extreme weather events
Description: After Hurricane Katrina nearly leveled the Bayou View West neighborhood in 2005, the Federal Emergency Management Agency bought out the remaining residents and handed the property over to the city. Today, the 40-acre tract is known as Brickyard Bayou Park. This project created the city's first dog park at the site. Known as the Bark Park, it attracted more than 200 people and dogs on its opening day in 2017. the space acts as a buffer -- if the area floods again, homes won't be at risk. And once the park dries out, people and pups can return. Since the Bark Park's creation, the City of Gulfport has added a kayak launch, a disc golf course, a nature trail and an outdoor classroom to Brickyard Bayou Park.
Hackensack, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public place improvements to withstand extreme weather events
Description: This project will provide dozens of rain barrels, as well as community education to help address future flooding. The rain barrels will be painted to serve as functional public art.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
La Union, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: This project built a covered bus stop at a central location in the town. It also installed a gazebo with benches outside the community center.
La Union, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: This project will install solar-powered lighting along a community center's walking trail to improve safety and allow people to gather and walk after dark. The organization will also lay crushed rock to prevent soil erosion.
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