PORTLAND — Eight Maine organizations, including in Fryeburg and Hallowell, will receive 2020 AARP Community Challenge grants – part of the largest number of grantees to date with more than $2.4 million awarded among 184 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement “quick-action” projects to create more livable communities across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Community Challenge grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative which helps communities become great places to live for residents of all ages. Since 2012, 71 communities in Maine have joined AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. In 2019, the State of Maine was designated an Age-Friendly State under the leadership of Governor Janet Mills.
Grants were awarded to:
Fryeburg Age-Friendly Community Taskforce, Fryeburg – The community will create a recreation trail designed to be easily walkable by older adults & those with mobility challenges. The path will be a one-mile loop trail that features a pedestrian bridge, benches, and signage for people of all ages to enjoy.
Vision Hallowell, Hallowell – The purchase and installation of a 24-foot long aluminum ramp will allow convenient and easy access to Hallowell’s busy waterfront bulkhead for older adults, people with mobility challenges, young children and those with strollers.
Bicycle Coalition of Maine, Projects in three communities will improve pedestrian safety by increasing crosswalk visibility, shortening crosses, & calming traffic. These short-term demonstrations are critical first steps toward installing permanent pedestrian safety enhancements.
As well as Citizens’ Association of Liberty Lake, Liberty; Eliot Aging in Place Committee; Limestone Development Foundation/Age Friendly Limestone; town of Dexter Age-Friendly Community Committee; town of Millinocket.
To view the full list of grantees and their project descriptions, visit www.aarp.org/communitychallenge and view an interactive map of all of the Community Challenge projects and AARP Maine’s livable communities work at www.aarp.org/livable.
