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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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Belleville, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Trails
Description: Belleville turned an unused fenced lot into a pocket park to address the lack of green space in its dense neighborhoods, where many older adults lacked outdoor recreation. The project added a walking path, pollinator garden, rock garden and art display areas, with volunteers planting native species and painting rocks. A ribbon-cutting event invited residents to celebrate the new space, which now hosts health fairs and cultural activities. Participants were thrilled, with one saying that they can't wait to host events here, signaling how this transformation fosters connection and creativity.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Evansville, IN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Trails
Description: Many trails in this urban old-growth forest were inaccessible for visitors with limited mobility, leaving older adults unable to enjoy nature. The project converted 435 feet of degraded trail into a raised boardwalk with safety rails, added an ADA-compliant bench and installed signage. Volunteers age 50-plus helped prepare and build the trail, which now connects the Nature Center to animal exhibits and a towering tulip tree. The upgrade has prompted visits from assisted living groups and mobility device users, inspiring plans for more accessible trails. "We want more!" said one group after experiencing the new Mini-Loop Trail.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Rossville, KS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Trails
Description: Rossville lacked safe spaces for outdoor exercise, leaving older adults without options for physical activity away from traffic. Responding to community requests, the foundation built a quarter-mile concrete trail near the fire department and high school, added trees for shade, and installed an ADA-compliant bench for resting and socializing. The new trail offers a safe route for walking and biking, encouraging health and connection. It also sparked plans for expansion and secured funding for future phases, reinforcing the town's commitment to active living.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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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AARP Virgin Islands State Office
4094 Diamond Ruby
Suite 6
Christensted (St. Croix), VI 00820
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