Building on efforts to enhance access to natural resources and recreational opportunities for residents across the Commonwealth, the Baker Administration recently announced nearly $4 million in grant funding to support 52 trail projects across the Commonwealth as part of the MassTrails Grant Program. Continue reading
Tag Archives: outdoor spaces & buildings
In Focus on Bicycling and Older Adults, AARP Highlights Boston Bike Lane Plan
In their latest newsletter, AARP’s Livable Communities team focuses on bicycling and older adults by promoting a free webinar and ways bike lanes improve safety for all, including those who don’t use a bike. Continue reading
Age-Friendly Funding Alert: MassTrails
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative encourages communities and regions seeking to become more age and dementia friendly to consider the new round of MassTrails grants.
The program supports recreational trail and shared use pathway projects across the Commonwealth. Grant amounts are dependent on the project and its needs, but generally range from $5,000 to $100,000 with grants of up to $300,000 awarded to projects demonstrating critical network connections of regional significance. Continue reading
Results from AARP Survey Reveal Preferences of 50+ Cyclists and Tips for Local Action
Nearly 3,000 older adults across the country answered questions in an AARP survey about their cycling history and habits, any changes in their bicycling routine during the past year — including since the COVID-19 pandemic — and preferences for cycling locations and conditions. Continue reading
Find Your Local City’s “ParkScore” on Trust for Public Land Index
According to the Trust for Public Land, Boston ranks ninth among all US cities on their ParkScore Index that ranks communities based on accessibility to parks and recreation facilities.
Cities of all sizes (towns are not included in the data) are able to see how many of their residents live within a ten-minute walk to a park, with numbers broken down by age, race, and income. Continue reading
Accessing Age-Friendly Parks, Trails and Community Walks During COVID-19
Older adults – and people of all ages – looking to remain active and get outside during the COVID-19 pandemic have resources to find accessible parks, trails and community walks, along with reminders of social distancing. Continue reading
Wintermission Competition Accepting Applications to Help Improve Public Life in Winter
8-80 Cities is accepting proposals for Wintermission project partners in three U.S. cities. The organization will support these partners to become national leaders in winter city planning, design, and programming. These cities will become Winter City Vanguards, and work with 8-80 Cities and other partners to:
1. Lead a city-wide conversation about public life and social isolation in winter
2. Implement winter city pilot projects
3. Develop a unique winter city strategy Continue reading
AARP Releases Guide to Creating Age-Friendly Parks and Public Spaces
AARP’s Livable Communities team has released a free, step-by-step guide to developing fun, safe and healthy outdoor places. Continue reading