We're revitalizing Tanglewood trail thanks to an AARP community grant

We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded an AARP Community Challenge grant for community development in downtown Whitesburg, Kentucky!

Appalshop was selected from more than 3,500 organizations across the country, and we're one of only a handful of grantees in central Appalachia. With this generous grant from AARP, we'll be developing Tanglewood trail, an important transportation and exercise corridor in Whitesburg.

If you've been to downtown Whitesburg, you've probably been on the trail. It's a critical connector to a shopping center with health clinics and a grocery store, not only for folks who are looking to get more exercise, but also for residents who don't have access to a car.

To adequately serve local folks, the trail needs to be resurfaced, and it needs a new crosswalk and sidewalk bumpouts where it intersects with roads. But that's not all this AARP grant will enable us to do. 

We'll also install a median island with signs and plantings, work with a local company to install four new benches along the trail, and commission stencil designs from local artists that will be installed at least 40 different places along the trail. The end result: a trail that both functions better and contributes to the ongoing revitalization of downtown Whitesburg.

Appalshop has been making art and media in the mountains since 1969, and that includes projects like this one that catalyze resources for our neighbors. We approach the work we do from the perspective of people who call this place home — because we do.

"We're incredibly proud that AARP selected Appalshop to receive this grant," said Marley Green, Appalshop's community development worker. "AARP is a nationwide leader on making communities more livable, and we're honored that they see the tangible value of our work in Whitesburg."

Stay tuned for our unveiling: when the work on the Tanglewood trail is complete, we'll hold a community celebration event with local music and a 5k run. But for now, we'll see you out on the trail!

More information is available @appalshop on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.