AARP Eye Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
See More Projects Like This One
Sullivan, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Trails
Description: Sullivan has a network of hiking trials but lacked options for people with mobility challenges. To give residents of all ages and abilities a place to walk, Age-Friendly Sullivan installed an accessible walking trail at the Sorrento-Sullivan Recreation Center. First, volunteers worked to prepare an underused area on the rec center's property, creating drainage culverts and mowing grass. Then they spread crushed gravel to create a hard, flat trail surface. Before, the recreation center offered several amenities aimed at children and youth, including a playground, basketball courts and a skate park. The trail represents an offering people of all ages -- including older adults -- can use. Since creating the trail, the age-friendly initiative has worked with partners to add benches, fitness equipment and a story walk along the route.
Honolulu, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places
Description: Honolulu's urban core has three shoreline parks -- all located near each other. But the parks were not connected, and all were underused. The Trust of Public land launched its A Lei of Parks effort, a one-day pop-up event to connect the shoreline. The event allowed residents to walk and bike between Ala Moana Regional Park, Kewalo Basin Park and Kaka'ako Waterfront Park. Volunteers used chalk, banners and signage to denote a temporary pathway. They hosted a walking event and set up kiosks to give passersby information about the effort. During the demonstration, participants could take a survey about a possible permanent parks connection. Organizers say the pop-up raised awareness of the value of parks, leading to the Parks for People renovation project.
Providence, RI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety
Description: This project will support the Walk, Talk Chalk series, which will conduct six walk audits of local neighborhoods and engage community members by using sidewalk chalk to mark recommended infrastructure improvements.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
AK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing
Description: This project will collect and analyze ordinances regulating accessory dwelling units (ADUs) with the aim of creating a best practices toolkit and a model ordinance for communities.
Anchorage, AK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety
Description: Alaska Trails worked with Bike Anchorage to shape sustainable transportation in Anchorage. The two organizations educated residents about the city's Non-Motorized Transportation Plan, an effort to integrate bike, pedestrian and train networks into a multi-modal system. They also informed residents about Anchorage's Complete Streets policy, which aims to remake city streets to safely accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers and bus riders of all ages and abilities. In addition, Alaska Trails supported Safe Routes to School, an initiative that promotes walking and bicycling to school. This outreach effort included social media posts, print and television news coverage and a newsletter. Alaska Trails continues to work to encourage locals to use the state's trails and each year Bike Anchorage holds a Winter Bike Fest to promote cycling in the city.
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 Alaska State Office
3601 C Street
Suite 1420
Anchorage, AK 99503
United States