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Bike Pensacola with Pensacola Community Action Network (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
The Gonzalez Street Shareway in Pensacola is a wide, busy road dominated by cars. To demonstrate how the thoroughfare could accommodate both vehicles and pedestrians, Bike Pensacola conducted a one-day demonstration of traffic calming features. Bike Pensacola fabricated traffic circles and temporarily narrowed the roadway from four to two lanes. To test out the traffic control measures, about 300 bicyclists participated in a slow ride along the Shareway, cycling between three Pensacola parks. Additionally, Bike Pensacola partnered with local businesses and organizations to bring a local art market to the shareway including a sidewalk book sale, food trucks, self-guided walking tours and a scavenger hunt.
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See More Projects Like This One
Chicago, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Chicago's Clark Street commercial district is a busy area for commuters and shoppers. To increase safety, decrease crime and beautify the neighborhood, the Rogers Park Business Alliance created its Cross the Street: Art on Clark project. Organizers painted murals on the pavement at intersections near the local commuter train station, as well as on side streets leading to the Clark Street shopping district. The permanent art installations are meant to encourage drivers to slow down as they approach. Also meant to be a placemaking intervention, the pavement art also encourages pedestrians to engage with local businesses. Since installation, project organizers say Art on Clark has improved economic vitality and public safety in the neighborhood.
Anchorage, AK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: In Anchorage's Fairview neighborhood, older adults faced hazardous winter walks as snow buried sidewalks and bus stops, forcing them into traffic. A pilot project organized five Snowfighters who cleared sidewalks after three major storms, installed snow markers and delivered flyers to 50 homes. Their work restored safe routes to nearby housing and transit stops, allowing older adults to walk without risking icy streets. Residents praised the effort for improving safety and community connection and plans are underway to expand the volunteer program to other blocks for lasting winter mobility solutions.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Milton, DE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Historic streets lacked safe, visible crossings, putting pedestrians-especially older adults-at risk. Drivers often ignored crosswalks, so the town installed two art crosswalks at a busy intersection, designed by local artists and painted with volunteers. The colorful designs draw attention to pedestrian zones and promote walking and biking in the historic district. Residents embraced the project as a source of pride and safety. A traffic crew member said it "truly touched his heart" and that he would share the story statewide.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Pensacola, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Keep Pensacola Beautiful's mission is to beautify public parks in low-income neighborhoods. The nonprofit launched its Harmony Park program in Englewood Park with the installation of three interactive musical instruments -- two types of xylophones and a colorful drum set. This created an unusual, educational opportunity for play for children at the neighboring Boys and Girls Club, who benefit from music lessons at the site. KPB's executive director Sigrid Solgard stressed that no musical experience was necessary to play the instruments. "The notes are supposed to sound good together in any combination," she said.
Pensacola, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing
Description: Pensacola's housing shortage left older adults facing eviction or living in vehicles. To address this, the Council installed two tiny homes for older adults in crisis and partnered with carpentry students and Habitat volunteers for stairs, shelving and painting. Open houses and media coverage showcased tiny homes as a viable solution, sparking public and official support for future projects. One resident said, "The mobile home that I was living in, the walls fell out... My case worker called and said, 'I have you a house.' And God answered my prayers."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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