See More Projects Like This One

Greensboro, NC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: This project will partner with neighborhood organizations to conduct two meetings and two walk audits. The project will gather testimony to produce a community walk report for future street and sidewalk plans.

New York, NY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: The project will conduct five walk audits on a NYC Open Street to identify locations for road repair, sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, and better signage. Older community volunteers will participate.

Chicago, IL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: Unsafe sidewalks and crossings near 87th and Stony Island left older adults hesitant to walk and feeling isolated. Black Cornerstones audited 253 intersections, gathered resident stories and launched the Reimagine Stony Campaign. The effort produced a detailed walk plan, formed a walking club and hosted a block party to share findings. These steps sparked ongoing safety improvements and inspired similar efforts in other neighborhoods. One participant, age 84, said, "I used to be afraid to walk around my block, but now I feel safe and connected to my neighbors."

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

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.

Madison Heights, MI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: The Love Garden at the Chinese Community Center is popular with Madison Heights residents. To make the space more accessible and welcoming, the Association of Chinese Americans expanded the garden with a greenhouse, gazebo and new benches. The greenhouse enables the organization to grow more plants and involve new community members, and serves as a service and storage area for the annual Healthy Gardening Fair. With its contemplative environment, the gazebo offers an inviting, safe gathering place for community members to gather for meditation, Tai-Chi and light exercise. Organizers hope the upgraded amenities help improve residents' physical and mental health.

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