Winter Placemaking Projects Promote Livability for All Ages
Vermont Business Magazine Three Vermont communities have each received $3,000 in grants from AARP Vermont to jump start Winter Placemaking Demonstration Projects that focus on creating public spaces and streets that are safe and accessible for everyone. Proposals from Burlington, Wilmington and Poultney were selected from a host of applications for the initiative. This is the third year of AARP’s Placemaking Grant Program. The program aims to help communities build social capital that can help lead to permanent change that supports healthy, active lifestyles for people of all ages and abilities.
This year’s grant process was launched at a two-day Placemaking Workshop hosted by AARP Vermont in October. For this season, the program focused on helping communities embrace the winter months by reinventing a space that improves the safety, accessibility and overall appeal either temporarily or semi-permanently. Vermont’s winter months can be long and dark and contribute greatly to social isolation, especially with COVID-related restrictions. So creating ways to encourage outdoor activities and social engagement is more important than ever.
“This is an opportunity for these Vermont communities to start small by test-driving a process in the community with the expectation that the project will be further improved upon and refined over time -- and hopefully lead to permanent change to the built environment,” explained Kelly Stoddard Poor of AARP Vermont. “We know that simple modifications can powerfully alter the health, economic, social, and ecological value of a community,” she said. “When community members and local officials can actually see and experience a new or altered space, they are better able to understand what is possible and how it can improve their community. Projects like these have led to positive exciting new improvements in communities across the country.”
This year’s recipients are:
Poultney: REclaimED (Makers Space) will build a Rest & Recharge station along the D&H Rail Trail at 169 Main Street in downtown Poultney. During winter, the structure will offer self-serve hot drink making. It will be accessible year-round for information, relaxation and art.
Wilmington: Wilmington Works will create a winter park by leveraging recreation opportunities at existing fields and trails at the Old School Community Center Recreation Field/Buzzy Towne Park. They will be clearing a 1/4 mile walking loop and organize pop-up winter activities regularly throughout the winter. Temporary warming shelters will be set-up in the baseball dugouts with benches and lighting. This project will provide safe, accessible gathering spaces outdoors for community members to enjoy. Activities will be created to address the needs of all age groups, ability levels and interests.
Burlington: Old East End Neighborhood Coalition will sponsor WinterFest, a series of five events in the neighborhood park, providing access to the community center and outdoor activities such as snowshoe, cross country skiing, disk golf, and nature walks. They will be activating the outdoor space to create an atmosphere of welcoming and warmth with decorative lighting, a “warming hut”, and hot chocolate and baked goods.
In support of these projects AARP Vermont will provide technical assistance and publicity support as well as helping project leaders engage with other local, regional or state partner organizations that can contribute to their success
About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.