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Woodstock, IL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Trails

Description: This project built a wide pathway of crushed limestone through the deep woods in Emricson Park. To give people a place to rest and observe nature, the city also created seating areas along the pathway.

Newport, VT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Trails

Description: Newport's downtown sits on the southern shore of Lake Memphremagog, which extends north to Canada. But because privately-owned businesses and homes cut off the Newport's downtown from the lake, public access to the water was limited. With its Look to the Lake initiative, the town hoped to reorient itself to take advantage of lake activities -- something town officials hoped would have economic development benefits. When a local business owner offered up his private land to create a pedestrian connector trail and boat docks, the City was able to develop the waterfront. Grant funding enabled construction of a much-needed bridge at the site. Since then, the City has acquired more waterfront land, allowing it to create new trails and connect existing ones. The City has also added a parklet at the Newport Waterfront Recreational Trail's trailhead. Today, Newport residents have access to a seven-mile lakefront corridor.

Corry, PA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Trails

Description: When the City of Corry developed its long-term strategic plan, one of its primary objectives was improving access to greenspace. Most residents live more than a ten-minute walk from local parks and trails. To better connect neighborhoods to a local greenway, Impact Corry transformed an underused, overgrown pathway into an accessible trail. Volunteers worked to install amenities along the route, including benches designed by local artists and a pollinator-friendly gardens. Project organizers also added solar-powered crossing beacons street intersections to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Three Forks, MT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: This project will provide three pieces of exercise equipment along a walking loop, which is frequently used by older residents.

Bozeman, MT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: The City of Bozeman partnered with the Western Transportation Institute to create a pop-up trailer, which they lend to community groups who want to test out street concepts and advocate for permanent changes. The toolkit contains materials for temporary demonstrations, such as straw wattles, planter boxes, pavement paint and tires. These are useful for creating curb extensions and pedestrian islands -- features that calm traffic by narrowing lanes and increasing the visibility of cyclists and pedestrians. The City deployed the kit at the intersection of Tamarack and North Tracy, where residents often complain about speeding. Located near a park, senior center and the county fairgrounds, the intersection is popular with pedestrians and cyclists. When the City polled passersby about the interventions, two-thirds of the feedback they heard was positive. The City also set up radar speed detection equipment, which showed slower vehicle speeds during pop-up project.

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