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Virgin Island Trail Alliance (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Trails
└ Trails
Many trails on St. Croix were impassable after hurricane damage. As part of disaster recovery efforts, Virgin Islands Trail Alliance restored eight miles of rainforest trails. To do this, volunteers cut through foliage, cleared weeds, pulled up roots and raked up debris, allowing the trails to reopen. Additionally, they installed new signage, which help visitors navigate, communicate trail rules and identify tree species. The activation effort also involved installing picnic tables and benches along the path to give people a space to rest. To help visitors access the trails, volunteers cleared parking areas and installed bollards to prevent people from driving vehicles onto the trails. Volunteer workers included participants in a nonprofit program carpentry skills program. Since the restoration, project organizers say hikers and cyclists have returned to the trails.
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Sheridan, WY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Trails
Description: The North Main Association wanted to create a picnic area for Malcolm Wallop Trails, formerly known as North Park. To make the area accessible for people with mobility issues, the organization installed an ADA-compliant picnic table with and umbrella. In addition, they placed seven benches along the trails to allow people to rest during their walk or pause to observe deer, birds, squirrels and other wildlife. These improvements spurred the City of Sheridan to improve a parking area near the picnic table and install a sidewalk from the parking lot to the trails. The City also added a new trail to the site in 2021. Since the improvements, project organizers report an increase in visitors to Malcolm Wallop Trails.
Natick, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Trails
Description: This community engagement initiative sought to identify solutions to allow older adults and people with mobility issues to use off-road trails in Natick. Project organizers met with town staff ahead of two focus groups with older adults, who shared their experiences with local trails. Additionally, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council created an online survey to collect more feedback. Older adults said their main concerns were access to bathrooms, personal safety, clear signage, availability of parking near trailheads, even walking surfaces and benches to sit on. MAPC then held a placemaking event at the Natick Community-Senior Center. Attendees could walk along a prototype trail with photos of planned upgrades and hear from MAPC staff. Participants also had a chance to share their personal stories about the things they've discovered while hiking. The result was a list of practical, low-cost action items the town can use to improve Natick's pathways.
Valdez, AK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Trails
Description: Most trails in Valdez aren't accessible to people using walkers or wheelchairs, as well as parents or grandparents pushing strollers. Organizers with Valdez Adventure Alliance hoped to make the Shoup Bay Trail more welcoming to people of all ages and abilities through improvements to its trailhead. Volunteers leveled the trailhead and added landscaping. They also installed benches to give visitors a place to rest. Since completing the improvements, organizers have continued to make accessibility upgrades along the trail itself and have rebuilt another 620 feet of pathway.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Frederiksted, VI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Hurricane Maria left the Orchid House at St. George Village Botanical Garden in ruins, exposing orchids and damaging shade structures and irrigation. The Society restored the space by installing a new roof frame and shade cloth, replacing hazardous grillwork and repairing the irrigation system. Volunteers relocated and repotted orchids and refurbished the interior. The renovation revived a historic site and boosted engagement, with membership growing by more than 10 percent. The number of volunteers increased as well. Residents expressed appreciation, saying the garden feels "like a sacred place." The project will support ongoing orchid care and cultural education.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Frederiksted, VI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Disaster Preparedness
Description: Older adults in Frederiksted face serious risks during hurricanes, especially when managing medications, medical equipment and evacuation decisions. Tradewind Foundation addressed that gap by hosting hands-on disaster preparedness training sessions focused on practical steps residents could take before storms hit. Participants learned how to build emergency plans, organize supplies, protect medications and communicate with family and caregivers. Preparedness resources were also distributed for continued use at home. One participant said the training replaced uncertainty with a clear plan for handling medical needs during hurricane season. By improving household readiness and confidence, the project helped older adults feel safer staying in their homes during future emergencies.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Christensted (St. Croix), VI 00820
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