AARP Eye Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
See More Projects Like This One
Danforth, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: This project brought the city's Livable Communities Center up to ADA accessibility standards with a new front walkway and entryway and a renovation of its stairwell.
Liberty, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: Getting into the water at Liberty's popular public beaches has always been treacherous, especially for older people and those less able to navigate the slippery, uneven granite ledges at the shore. To make two local lakes more accessible, the Citizen's Association of Liberty Lakes added new steps and handrails. Designed to be removed at the end of each beach season, the non-skid steps and handrails at Steven's Pond are made of aluminum. The custom handrail at Lake St. George is bolted to the ledge, partly underwater. The Association also added picnic tables and benches for year-round use at both sites. I'm so glad you put in this handrail for us older adult swimmers, one visitor told project organizers. I used to dread navigating the slippery rocks to get my swims. Now I can feel safe. Organizers also say the project strengthened cooperation between the Citizens' Association and the Town of Liberty.
Londonderry, NH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: To increase accessibility in its public spaces, the Town of Londonderry installed ten park benches in the Town Common and adjacent Kent Allen Town Forest. This accessibility upgrade sparked additional work there, including drainage improvements and the addition of native plants to the forest. In addition, the local Girl Scout troop installed a story book trail at the site. Since adding the benches, the town has also seen increased trail usage.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Ocean Springs, MS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Ocean Springs has an active group of advocates working to make streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. However, many intersections remain dangerous, as vehicle speeds can be high during peak commuting times. The Ocean Springs Pedestrians and Residents for Exercise and Youth Safety painted a pavement mural in one of the city's busiest intersections. The artwork is meant to slow traffic by drawing attention to pedestrians crossing the street. OSRPEYS also developed a pocket park nearby, which they equipped with picnic tables, planters, bike racks and native plants. Since its installation, the park has become a gathering space for community members of all ages and community groups host activities onsite.
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.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP Mississippi State Office
141 Township Avenue
Suite 302
Ridgeland, MS 39157
United States