Cascade, ID

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Trails

Description: A half-mile section of Cascade's popular Strand Trail was muddy, icy or snowy much of the year. To make it accessible year-round, the City of Cascade leveled and paved the trail's surface. Project organizers also added three new benches and wayfinding signage. The improved trail segment connects two branches of the Strand Trail, which meanders for two miles along the Payette River and offers visitors stunning views of nearby mountains and bird watching and fishing opportunities. Additionally, it extends access to a visitor's center and to Kelly's Whitewater Park, a nonprofit facility serving whitewater rafters, kayakers and paddle boarders. The City is planning to pave another trail section in the future.

Boulder, CO

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public safety interventions

Description: Boulder's San Lazaro Mobile Home Park lacked well-lit community walkways, causing residents to feel unsafe walking during the evening hours. To address this, the City of Boulder and the park's owners installed solar lights, which they mounted on 20-foot poles to improve visibility after dark. Enhancing walkability and creating a stronger sense of place, this project kicked off a larger effort to replace more of the county's lights with solar lighting.

Dalton, GA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services

Description: This project contributed to the City of Dalton Housing Authority's larger efforts to renovate its properties. The Authority hoped to give public housing residents more access to outdoor gathering spaces, so it installed picnic tables in several locations. To increase accessibility, organizers also provided ramps to residents unable to climb stairs. Finally, the Authority updated its laundry rooms. Project organizers say the improvements give residents updated, clean and safe areas to interact with each other, which helps combat social isolation and depression.