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Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Trails
└ Trails
The Whiskeag Trail needed upgrades to serve older adults and reduce barriers for low-income residents. Volunteers widened two miles of trail, installed six ADA-compliant benches and built eight ramped boardwalk bridges. These improvements increased accessibility and sparked plans for universal design upgrades on other sections. One organizer noted that after a conversation with a local older adult, the volunteers added an additional bench to further improve trail walkability.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Dunellen, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Trails
Description: To make the half-mile trail in Columbia Park more accessible, the Borough of Dunellen installed 12 ADA-compliant benches. Volunteers added mulch around each bench and planted trees, shrubs and pollinator-friendly vegetation, with plaques identifying each plant. They also painted a footbridge connecting the part to a residential neighborhood. The project engaged Dunellen's mayor and Borough Council, along with the Dunellen Shade Tree Commission, the parks and recreation and public works departments, the Dunellen Arts and Culture Commission, the Dunellen Senior Club, the local football team and the Dunellen Municipal Alliance. Since installation, the Borough has seen a 44 percent uptick in trails users, as well as a 50 percent increase in older adults visiting the trail.
Carbondale, CO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Trails
Description: Benches along the Rio Grande Trail were often placed on uneven ground, leaving older adults and people with mobility challenges without safe resting spots. The initiative partnered with the town to install an ADA-compliant seating area on a cement pad with two benches arranged for conversation and plenty of space for wheelchairs. Shaded by trees and accented with native pollinator plants, the site offers a scenic view and a welcoming spot for social connection. This improvement encourages trail use and supports Carbondale's age-friendly vision.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
East Bridgewater, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Trails
Description: Healthy East Bridgewater -- a community coalition convened by the Old Colony YMCA -- sought to improve connectivity and accessibility along the Hiking Viking Trail. Established in 2015, the trail features a 5-mile walking loop linking Bridgewater's town hall to the YMCA and other locations. Project organizers installed five new benches along the pathway, added signage to help people find their way and installed boardwalks to level out a portion of the walkway. To welcome visitors, they then hosted an October Pumpkin Walk, which drew about 400 participants. Since completing the improvements, organizers say they've seen increased community interest in the trail and its amenities.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Bath, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing
Description: Bath faced rising housing costs and limited options for older adults, especially those with fixed incomes. The coalition partnered with the city and housing agencies to launch a public education campaign on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), creating a toolkit, videos, social media content and presentations. More than 200 residents attended sessions explaining ADU benefits, design and approval processes. The campaign sparked interest in building ADUs, with one participant noting it offered "a way to build a smaller accessible unit for myself and rent my primary home," expanding housing choices for residents.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Sagadahoc, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Disaster Preparedness
Description: Older adults across several communities expressed fear and uncertainty about emergencies, with many lacking preparedness plans or clear information about local resources. Age-Friendly Communities of the Lower Kennebec hosted six listening sessions where participants shared experiences and concerns about disasters. The conversations emphasized communication, evacuation routes and the importance of checking on neighbors. These led to increased signups for the county emergency notification system. By partnering with county emergency management and centering older adults voices, the project energized communities to begin developing local response plans and laid the groundwork for coordinated preparedness efforts.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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