Communities across Connecticut are working to become more livable for residents of all ages. AARP Connecticut is working in partnership with local leaders, organizations, and dedicated residents to help make that vision a reality.

As part of that effort, AARP recently announced that three Connecticut organizations will receive 2022 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest group of grantees to date with $3.4 million awarded among 260 organizations across the nation.

Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable in the long term by improving public places; transportation; housing; diversity, equity, and inclusion; digital access; and civic engagement, with an emphasis on the needs of adults aged 50 and over.

We are proud to collaborate with Connecticut organizations as they make immediate improvements in their communities to jumpstart long-term change, especially for those aged 50 and over. We are committed to working with communities to improve residents’ quality of life through tangible changes and will begin accepting applications for the 2022 AARP Connecticut Livable Communities Grant Program in August. The local extension of the national initiative, entering its fifth year, is dedicated to funding “quick-action” projects in Connecticut communities. People can email CTLivable@aarp.org for more information or be notified of this year’s launch date.

Here in Connecticut, the projects funded include:

Bolton Senior Center: The Community Challenge grant will be used to install a pickleball court and spectator bench as part of an initiative that will transform an underutilized outdoor area behind the Senior Center into a social gathering place with multiple activities for all.

Town of Farmington: Grant funding will be used towards the installation of a bike rack, benches, and wayfinding signage to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, a handicap-accessible trail system that provides opportunities for exercising, social connection, scenic walking, and more.

Town of Stratford: The Stratford Walks initiative will encourage people of all ages, incomes, and ethnicities – with a special focus on seniors – to walk outdoors more frequently and gain the benefits of improved health and increased social connections. The project will include updating and digitizing maps of walking routes, installation of benches, and a kickoff event.

Stratford Mayor Laura Hoydick said, “This is a wonderful new program to support the health and wellness of older adults and every member of our community. I am proud that through this grant process, AARP, a valuable partner of the Town, recognized our work to be what they call a Livable Community for all ages, including our programs for health, community and senior services, our Transit Oriented Development, our environmental sustainability, Complete Streets, and so much more. I am also excited that the program will showcase our many outstanding public spaces and parks.”

The grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods, and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages. Since 2017, AARP Connecticut has awarded 15 grants and more than $159,000 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.

To learn more about the work being funded by the AARP Community Challenge, both here in Connecticut, as well as across the nation, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of all of the Community Challenge projects and AARP Connecticut’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.

Nora Duncan is the state director for AARP Connecticut.