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.

West Rutland, VT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Trails

Description: Visitors walking to West Rutland's public recreation had to walk on the road alongside vehicle traffic. To help residents safety reach the 125-acre greenspace, the Town built a new multiuse trail. The pathway also links to a nearby residential area, giving people easy access to healthy outdoor activities. To accommodate people of all ages and abilities, the pathway has a flat, accessible surface. Project organizers have planned snowshoe tours along the path, as well as a 5K race. They say increased connectivity will give residents better access to physical exercise and draw more visitors to the recreation area. In the future, the Town hope to establish a link from West Rutland's recreation path to Rutland County's trail network.

Stafford, CT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Trails

Description: The Citizen's Advisory Committee partnered with the Town of Stafford to increase recreational opportunities for residents of all ages. To do this, they created the River Walk Trail within Hyde Park. Volunteers worked to construct the trail, excavating the route, installing a fabric barrier and covering it with aggregate stone. The River Walk runs along the Middle River, carrying visitors between Stafford's lively shopping center, past Hyde Park and into nature. This is really about...building a sense of community, said Donna Wright, a member of the Stafford Citizen's Advisory Committee.