Jamestown, ND

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: Jamestown's Parks and Recreation Department hosted a pop-up event to test the viability of a path connecting the existing Jamestown River Trail with the local university, high school and activity center. They deployed traffic cones and signage to cordon off a temporary route for bikes and pedestrians along Highway 20. Organizers collected community feedback before and after the Pop-Up Walk/Bike Trail event, hoping to use the responses in future grant funding applications. "That's what we're looking for input on, where do folks want to cross the road," said Amy Walters, director of the Two Rivers Activity Center. "What is going to make people feel the safest?" Of those surveyed, 94 percent of people said they would like to see a permanent path installed along the route, with 62 percent of people saying they would use it at least four days a week. Since the project a committee has continued to meet to create a plan to connect existing paths in Jamestown and explore funding options.

Hamlin, WV

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: Although Hamlin's residents can access regional bus service, most parts of the community lack transit access and pedestrian infrastructure. To make the community less car-centric, Lincoln County Friends of the Arts installed several artistic crosswalks. They engaged residents to design murals, which volunteers painted on the pavement. The colorful crosswalks draw catch drivers' attention, making them more likely to notice people crossing the street. Organizers hope the traffic calming installations will improve safety for pedestrian and cyclists, ultimately improving mobility throughout the small town.

Arlington County, VA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: The Arlington Commission on Aging set out to make local intersections safer for pedestrians. After consulting data on pedestrian-involved crashes, the Commission worked with local organizations -- including nonprofits, churches, civic associations and the local fire department -- to identify ten crossings with high vehicle speeds and insufficient pedestrian infrastructure. Then they provided hand-held orange flags at crosswalks, which pedestrians can wave as they cross the street to make themselves more visible to passing drivers. Organizers mounted bins at eye-level on each side of the street to store the flags. In addition to improving safety, the effort also helped educate the community about the importance of traffic calming interventions.