AARP Community Grant Challenge: Spark Change in Your Community

Get your community projects wish list in order, Florida, because here’s your chance to get some funding.

The 2018 AARP Community Challenge is back and now accepting grant applications for local projects that spark change and improve the quality of life for people of all ages in communities nationwide.

For more information or to apply, visit AARP.org/CommunityChallenge

These grants provide localities and nonprofits the chance to fund innovative projects that can inspire change in transportation, open spaces, housing and other area, thereby improving communities.

Just ask the Town of Cutler Bay about the Community Challenge. Last year it was one of 89 projects granted a total of $780,000 in funds. Three recipients hailed from Florida:

1. Safe Streets Pop Up in St. Petersburg
2. Streets Alive of Southwest Florida event in Ft. Myers in collaboration with Franklin Park Elementary
3. Cutler Ridge Park Fitness Circuit in the Town of Cutler Bay

The Town of Cutler Bay recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony in Cutler Ridge Park to officially invite the community to visit the park and utilize its newly installed fitness equipment. (See video below)

A lot of thought was given to the selection and placement of the exercise equipment to maximize access and ease of use. The four pieces of equipment are under a canopy to guard against the south Florida heat and rain, and three of them are wheel chair accessible. The area is easily reached from the parking lot, next to the community pool, and oversee a wide green area of the park.

Town of Cutler Bay Mayor Peggy Bell, Vice Mayor Sue Loyzelle, former Vice Mayor Ernie Sochin, Town Manager Ralph Casals, and several members of the Town’s community advisory community were present to share the new installation with community residents.

“This project is the perfect combination of our efforts to increase available services to our active adult community, and our efforts to increase access to fitness amenities throughout the Town. I appreciate the AARP for recognizing our commitment, and partnering with us to install this fitness circuit,” Mayor Peggy Bell said.

“AARP Florida is very pleased to see the inclusiveness and thought to detail put into the Town of Cutler Bay's active adult exercise circuit, creating a safe and welcoming space for adults of different abilities to be active. It is our hope that other communities are inspired to apply for Community Challenge grants in 2018, " said Victoria Funes, associate state director for AARP Florida.