AARP: Rochester bike trail kiosk proposal wins Small Dollar, Big Impact grant

ROCHESTER, WISCONSIN – A proposal to install a trailhead kiosk for the
Seven Waters Bike Trail has been selected to receive one of AARP Wisconsin’s

“Small Dollar, Big Impact” grants. These grants are being awarded monthly in
2020 to projects in communities across Wisconsin that are designed to improve
communities and make them better places for everyone to live, work and play as
they age.

The Village of Rochester Park Committee applied for the $1,000 grant to kick off
its goal to implement a community signage project which both identifies and
encourages the use of over 1,500 acres of park and recreational sites scattered
throughout the community which provide numerous recreational opportunities to
its visitors and residents.

“The committee has identified way-finding signs as the most prominent way to
increase awareness of these opportunities by pointing the way to our parks,
trails, and other natural resource areas,” said Betty Novy, administrator-treasurer
for the Village of Rochester.

The park committee will use the grant to purchase and install a trailhead kiosk for
the Seven Waters Bike Trail near a parking and rest area in Case Eagle Park.
The kiosk will be used to post a map of the bike trail with a mileage log showing
distances between key destinations and features; to post information on other
nearby outdoor recreational opportunities; and to post information on community
events.

The kiosk will kick-start the way-finding sign project which serves the committee's
even greater goal of encouraging people to get outdoors and get moving, Novy
said.

“The Village of Rochester Parks Committee is very excited about being chosen to
receive the Small Dollar, Big Impact grant,” Novy said. “The committee hopes the
kiosk will further its goal to increase public awareness of all the opportunities the
village has for people to get out, be active, and share the community’s love of its
many natural resources. Thank you AARP!”

Novy said the park committee believes many people see the trail intersection
points throughout the village, but are hesitant to start down the trail. Signage will
inform them where trails go, what distances are in play, where opportunities exist
for sightseeing, and where rest areas are available.

This will allow people to plan reasonable destinations and turn around points for
their excursions, she said. “The kiosk will be prominently positioned adjacent to
restrooms and youth baseball fields that get many visitors during the summer
season and has the potential to reach many people who might not realize the full
potential of the trail.”

The kiosk will encourage people to make use of Rochester’s publicly-owned
natural resource areas and inform them of their ability to utilize the bike trail as
alternate transportation in the area. It will also encourage people to seek out,
stop, and enjoy natural resource areas in the area. These features include a
pedestrian bridge placed over a scenic bend in the Fox River; hardwood and pine
forests; bird watching; wildlife sightings; and many other natural wonders.

AARP Wisconsin’s “Small Dollar, Big Impact” grants are being awarded once a
month from June through November. Judges selected this project after receiving
dozens of proposals. All projects must be completed within 60 days from winner
announcement.

The Rochester project fits perfectly with the spirit and intent of our grant program,
said AARP Wisconsin State Director Sam Wilson. “Our goal is to support
communities as they make positive changes that inspire long-term progress on
livable issues. This project hits that nail right on the head.”

“These grants are exactly what the name describes – short-term, low-cost
solutions that could have remarkable impacts on the shaping of neighborhoods
and cities,” said Darrin Wasniewski, Associate State Director of Community
Outreach for AARP Wisconsin.

“There are so many great ideas and proposals for making life better in
communities across Wisconsin. We know how impactful $1,000 can be. This is
our way of extending some seed money to get these projects off the ground.”

The grant program is open to some nonprofits and government entities. Other
organizations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A full listing of requirements. expectations, deadlines, as well as a link to apply for the next
round of grants can be found at www.aarp.org/wi