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Seven Canyons Trust (2017) Print
2017 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Trails
└ Trails
An abandoned rail corridor in the Poplar Grove neighborhood prevented residents from safely walking or bicycling to Salt Lake City's downtown. A natural creek flowed through the site, but it was encased in an underground pipe. After the train tracks were removed in 2008, City leaders hoped to uncover the creek and add a 1.5-mile walk-bike trail. To build support for the project, they installed markers along the proposed trail and creek routes, adding signs with information about the site's history and benefits of restoring the creek. Local officials and residents were encouraged to walk the corridor and get involved in its restoration. The City also hosted an Oktoberfest celebration, which attracted more than 1,000 attendees who shared their priorities for the site. Topping the list: more green space. The completed trail opened in 2022. Following a city-funded study confirming the feasibility of daylighting the creek, the City and Seven Canyons Trust are now working on design options.
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Bangor, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Trails
Description: This project set out to improve the safety and functionality of the Kenduskeag Stream Trail. Volunteers worked to widen the trail, install ADA-compliant benches and improve wayfinding signage. Additionally, project organizers conducted a structural assessment of one of the trail's bridges.
Miami, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Trails
Description: Friends of the Commodore Trail addressed safety barriers that made reaching and using the trail feel intimidating, especially for older adults navigating fast traffic, curb obstacles and unclear routes. These conditions reduced confidence and limited use of a corridor that connects neighborhoods, parks and daily destinations. The project introduced visible safety improvements, including wayfinding signs, temporary curb ramps, crossing safety flags, traffic-calming pop-ups and targeted clean-ups that reduced immediate trip hazards. Many older adults were involved as participants and volunteers. One resident, speaking about the improved crossings and signage, said, "Now I don't hesitate. I walk more, I feel safer, and I see people I know almost every time I'm out." Several pilots are already informing permanent crosswalk and curb designs, strengthening long-term access and safer shared use of the Trail.
Belleville, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Trails
Description: This project installed a new walking trail to connect two streets previously divided by an oddly-placed fence. Along the path, the town planted one garden honoring COVID-19 victims and another containing produce the public is welcome to pick.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Salt Lake City, UT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety
Description: Walk audits will invite older adults to provide their feedback to expand accessible active transportation options. The organization will also create promotional materials encouraging residents to use of public transportation.
Salt Lake City, UT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Salt Lake City's Taylorsville neighborhood is home to refugee families from Syria, Myanmar and Afghanistan. Many new residents, however, struggle with social isolation. To help people feel connected, Salt Lake County created a community garden at the local senior center. Volunteers built four raised beds and the County provided ergonomic gardening equipment, seeds and starter plants. Project organizers say the opportunity to garden gives older adults -- who were often farmers and ranchers in their native countries -- a renewed sense of purpose. Gardening also allows them to form relationships with their neighbors.
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