Sandpoint, ID

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Trails

Description: After acquiring a new, 180-acre forest property, organizers with the Kanitsu Land Trust wanted to ensure people of all ability levels could enjoy it. So they created an all-abilities trail to draw visitors to the site. Pine Street Woods now boasts half a mile of accessible walkways, as well as four new benches. Since completing these improvements, the Land Trust reports an uptick in trail use, with over 100 visitors per day in summer 2020. The trail now serves as an example to municipal leaders of how to address accessibility challenges that limit outdoor access for those with mobility issues.

Litchfield, CT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Trails

Description: This project will install benches, bollards, and informational kiosks along a new trail connecting Litchfield and Bantam. These ADA-compliant features will enhance safety and accessibility for older adults and all visitors.

Portland, OR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Trails

Description: Southwest Portland's lack of sidewalks forces older adults to navigate unsafe streets, limiting independence and access to essentials. To address this, SWTrails installed 55 new signs and replaced 196 damaged ones along its 46-mile volunteer-built trail network, making routes easier to follow. Volunteers, many age 60-plus, committed to ongoing maintenance, ensuring trails remain safe for walking and transit access. These improvements enhance mobility and reduce isolation for residents who rely on trails for daily travel. One user shared, "I now use these trails to get to my bus stop since there are no sidewalks in our area."

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.