Three Idaho Projects Awarded $48,000 in Grants

Three Idaho organizations will receive 2020 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.

Idaho projects funded include:

City of Cascade - $10,000

The Strand Trail Paving Project will pave nearly ½ mile of trail near Kelly’s Whitewater Park creating an access point for older resident and those with physical disabilities looking for level pavement to recreate on.

City of Glenns Ferry - $28,000

A new park near the historical museum in town will include handicap accessible swings, infant swings and swings for adults and children creating a multigenerational area for citizens to recreate. There will also be other improvements including new mulch bedding, a metal carport, picnic table, and resurfaced court surface for basketball, hopscotch, etc.

Gooding Public Library Foundation -$10,000

An outdoor community commons area will be created outside the library, city hall, and police station green space. This grant will help draw library patrons and the senior center residents outside by creating an inviting place to read and hold library programs. This includes two uncovered picnic tables and two covered picnic tables. All four will be handicapped accessible.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with these grantees as they work to make immediate improvements in their communities, encourage promising ideas and jumpstart long-term change,” shared AARP Idaho state director Lupe Wissel. “Our goal is to support the efforts of our communities to be great places for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities and the coronavirus pandemic has only underscored the importance of this work.”

All projects are expected to be completed by December 18, 2020, and are designed to achieve one or more of the following outcomes:

• Create vibrant public places by improving open spaces and parks and activating main streets.
• Deliver a range of transportation and mobility options by increasing connectivity, walkability, bikeability, wayfinding, and access a wider range of transportation choices.
• Encourage the availability of a range of housing by increasing accessible and affordable housing solutions.
• Increase civic engagement and demonstrate the tangible value of “Smart Cities” by bringing together local leaders and residents from all backgrounds to address challenges.

• Support coronavirus response and recovery efforts by ensuring older adults’ access to information, essential services, and civic life.

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. View the full list of grantees and their project descriptions at www.aarp.org/communitychallenge and view an interactive map of all of the Community Challenge projects and AARP Idaho’s livable communities work at www.aarp.org/livable.