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Better Block Foundation (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Transportation Systems Change
└ Transportation Systems Change
Better Block Foundation tackled unsafe streets and missing sidewalks in Dallas, where older adults lacked accessible spaces to gather. The team installed an ADA ramp, added benches at bus stops and introduced speed bumps near a food bank serving 1,800 families. Volunteers transformed a parking lot into a shaded seating area and created market stall designs for future use. The effort prompted city discussions on street redesign and tree planting. As one partner said about the speed bumps, "We are so grateful... It's very dangerous. We have needed them for a long time."
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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See More Projects Like This One
Saco, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Transportation Systems Change
Description: Older residents in Saco and nearby towns struggled with limited transportation options, making it hard to reach groceries, social activities and essential programs. Age-Friendly Saco introduced an on-demand shuttle using donated vans, hired drivers and mapped routes based on community surveys. The service now provides rides for errands and social engagement, helping residents maintain independence. One rider said, "I won't drive forever... I'm glad to know this service exists," reflecting its impact on reducing isolation and meeting daily needs.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Baton Rouge, LA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Transportation Systems Change
Description: Baton Rouge's fragmented transit system left riders and operators without reliable service, forcing older adults and low-income residents to endure long waits and limited access to jobs and resources. The project organized community meetings to unite riders and operators, began developing a regional dashboard for transparency, and launched a video chronicling a day on local transit. Strong turnout and commitments from transit agencies marked a major step toward collaboration, laying the groundwork for a master plan and long-term improvements in service.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Madison, GA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Transportation Systems Change
Description: Busy state highways and missing accessible signals made walking downtown risky, especially for older adults and residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods. Madison responded by improving sidewalk paths with curb cuts, ramps and tactile pads, adding new crosswalks and wayfinding signs. It also created a micro-park with benches and footbridges along a creek. These upgrades not only provide safer routes to schools, shops and community spaces but also sparked broader planning for walkability and multi-modal transportation, giving residents a quiet place to connect and stay active.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
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AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Pedestrian Safety
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AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
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