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.

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.

Valdez, AK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Trails

Description: This project modified a popular local trail to accommodate wheelchair and stroller users, as well as other visitors who have limited or different mobility abilities.