Maplewood, NJ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Trails

Description: Park visitors, including many older adults, once had to walk on grass or a busy road to reach playgrounds and ballfields, creating safety concerns. The project installed a 560-foot asphalt path to complete the park's interior loop, restored a historic entryway and planted dawn redwoods for future shade. Volunteers added shrubs and perennials during a community planting day, strengthening community pride. The path quickly became a well-used asset, giving older adults safer access and space for exercise. One frequent parkgoer said, "It looks like it's always been there, because it should have been!"

South Orange, NJ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Bikeability

Description: This project will engage volunteers to paint artistic crosswalks, add paint to bike lanes, and install delineators on Mead Street. This will improve safety for older adults and all visitors to the park and community center.