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North Carolina Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Trails
└ Trails
Brunswick County's older population needed safe outdoor spaces for exercise and social connection while preserving Gullah Geechee heritage. The project launched a demonstration trail with ADA-compliant features, benches, markers and cultural storyboards, unveiled during a ribbon-cutting event. The effort sparked regional collaboration and a feasibility study for a 14-mile corridor linking historic sites and greenways. One attendee said the celebration "brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face," reflecting its cultural and community significance.
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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Frederiksted, VI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Trails
Description: After hurricanes destroyed the Estate Adventure Nature Trail, St. Croix residents lacked safe walking spaces on an island with few sidewalks. The Trail Alliance rebuilt the pavilion with durable materials, cleared invasive vegetation and created a two-mile shaded trail with benches, picnic tables and historical signage. A new parking area improves access, and the site now hosts hikes and community events. At the opening, attendees shouted "YES!" when asked if they wanted more projects like this, signaling strong demand for safe, green spaces.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Tampa, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Trails
Description: The City of Tampa closed a dangerous sidewalk gap that forced people near a housing community to walk close to traffic for everyday trips. For older adults, the missing link limited independence and made routine walks feel unsafe as vehicle volumes increased along the corridor. The city completed a continuous stretch of sidewalk, creating an accessible route that connected residents to nearby streets and transit stops. Neighborhood volunteers helped mark the opening, and residents quickly incorporated the safer path into daily routines. The change reshaped how people moved through the area. One nearby resident said the sidewalk completed her regular walking loop and made her feel safe again. The project also strengthened coordination between the city, the housing community and the neighborhood association, supporting future pedestrian improvements.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Poplar Bluff, MO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Trails
Description: Poplar Bluff lacked a safe, continuous route connecting city neighborhoods to the Wolf Creek Trail, limiting mobility for older adults who rely on trails for recreation and access to services. The project built a 1.8-mile ADA-accessible concrete connector and installed an ADA bench, linking the city's trail system to 21 miles of forest paths. This permanent improvement opens year-round access to nature and supports physical and mental well-being. Early counts show more than 1,000 users, and the trail has spurred community events and investment. One resident said, "There isn't a day that goes by that I don't see people on that trail."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Leland, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Pedestrian Safety
Description: Crossing busy roads near parks and community facilities had been difficult for many residents, especially older adults who needed more time and clearer cues to navigate traffic safely. To address this, the Town of Leland installed highly visible pedestrian safety beacons at a key crossing near destinations frequently used by older adults, including a community center and public park. The improvements alert drivers and create a more predictable crossing environment, reducing uncertainty for people walking across the roadway. Town staff report that older adults now feel more confident reaching programs, recreation and social activities on foot, and nearby facilities are seeing increased use. The project has also shaped local planning, giving the town a tested model for expanding pedestrian safety improvements to other locations as part of its ongoing walkability efforts.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Southport, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The stories of those buried in the John N. Smith Cemetery in Southport have never been shared with the broader community. As the only African American cemetery in the region, the John N Smith Cemetery Restoration and Preservation group created an outdoor museum onsite. The museum teaches residents about the racial and economic discrimination that Black members of that community have faced, as well as contributions residents made to the community. Project organizers designed and installed interpretive signage, as well as benches and a display board for public announcements and other information. Designed to be accessible for people of all ages, the space recounts an important part of Southport's history and culture.
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