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Berkley Downtown Development Agency (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Walk Audits
└ Walk Audits
Downtown Berkley's main corridor lacked safe, walkable routes for older adults, even near age-restricted housing, limiting social connection and daily well-being. To address this, the agency led walk audits along Coolidge during a popular Halloween event, engaging residents and collecting feedback on sidewalks and crossings. Surveys highlighted ideas for streetscape upgrades during planned road reconstruction. The audits advanced dialogue on walkability and influenced city planning. One older adult shared, "When the weather is good and I get to walk through downtown my day instantly gets better. There are a lot of friends I get to see in different shops and on the street."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Townsend, MT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: Volunteer residents age 50 and older will complete multiple walk audits across Townsend to document sidewalk and crossing barriers. City leaders will use the results to guide future pedestrian safety planning.
Wayne, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: Volunteers providing monthly lawn care will also conduct walk audits in two neighborhoods. Their observations will generate data to support safer pedestrian routes.
Los Angeles, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: Older adults in Little Tokyo faced cracked pavement, unsafe intersections and accessibility challenges that discouraged visits to this historic neighborhood. Keiro led two walk audits of 11 intersections before major community events, engaging volunteers and local leaders to identify hazards and advocate for improvements. The effort sparked dialogue with stakeholders and boosted confidence among older adults to return. One participant said the audits helped create "a more welcoming environment for seniors to come back and reconnect," reinforcing cultural ties and mobility.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Royal Oak, MI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Older adults and people with disabilities struggled to enjoy outdoor spaces at the Senior Center because benches and tables were unsafe and inaccessible. The city replaced them with ADA-compliant picnic tables and benches on hard-surface paths, creating safe spots for socializing and respite near the arboretum. These upgrades complement major park investments and encourage older adults to gather outdoors and participate in programs. A spring Arbor Day event will showcase the improvements, reinforcing long-term plans for inclusive public spaces.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
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