Community Challenge Takes Quick Action

AARP announces the City of Dover as the winner for the AARP Community Challenge, aiming to create change and improve quality of life at the community-level. The winning project is a re-opening of a walking/biking path in Dover.  Each project was partially or fully funded through the AARP Community Challenge grant.

“Being able to live successfully in one’s community for as long as possible is a benchmark of the Livable Communities concept,” said Lucretia Young, AARP Delaware State Director. “Having walkable, bikeable roads and paths enhance the quality of life of residents and offers better transportation option for all.”

The challenge grant was used by the City of Dover to reopen a biking/walking path that connects two ends of town. Once the trail is fully operational in Spring of 2018, Dover residents will be able to travel unobstructed from the city center to the west end of town on a route friendly to bicyclists and pedestrians. The path will offer ease of travel for pedestrians and bicyclists both east and west, with a major destination on the trails’ west side being Schutte Park and on the east, being the city’s transit center and downtown. Looks for the AARP logo on all 17 signs along the path.

“Great communities require careful planning and time,” said AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond. “These quick action projects will give community leaders the motivation and momentum to create greater change.”

All of the winning projects in this challenge will deliver on one or all of the following:

• Improve social connections through the built environment benefiting people of all ages and abilities in the community.
• Expand opportunities for all residents, such as job, volunteer, and educational/training opportunities.
• Drive inclusive community engagement and interaction across a diverse population.

For a complete list of the winners and projects nationwide, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge.