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buildingcommunityWORKSHOP (2018) Print
2018 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
This project introduced temporary public space interventions to start a community conversation about the pedestrian experience. First, local nonprofit buildingcommunityWORKSHOP held a public meeting to identify challenging conditions along Marilla Street, including obstructed sidewalks, narrow walkways, tripping hazards and absent curb cuts. They then set up a booth at a community event to ask residents about their experiences navigating downtown Dallas on foot. Based on their learnings, buildingcommunityWORKSHOP created colorful, portable ramp units and installed them on local sidewalks, making them ADA-compliant. This demonstrated to the community the value of walking accessible routes. Organizers plan to use learnings from the pop-up project to engage local elected leaders on accessibility and walkability issues.
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See More Projects Like This One
Ocean Springs, MS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Ocean Springs has an active group of advocates working to make streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. However, many intersections remain dangerous, as vehicle speeds can be high during peak commuting times. The Ocean Springs Pedestrians and Residents for Exercise and Youth Safety painted a pavement mural in one of the city's busiest intersections. The artwork is meant to slow traffic by drawing attention to pedestrians crossing the street. OSRPEYS also developed a pocket park nearby, which they equipped with picnic tables, planters, bike racks and native plants. Since its installation, the park has become a gathering space for community members of all ages and community groups host activities onsite.
St. Louis, MO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Long stretches of Delmar Boulevard lacked safe crossings, isolating neighborhoods and limiting access to businesses. The district installed two pedestrian crosswalks and added vibrant artwork designed with community input. These changes improve safety and walkability while symbolically bridging a historic divide. Residents and business owners collaborated on the design, fostering unity and sparking momentum for future streetscape improvements.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Northfield, VT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Northfield Common Connections wanted to start a community dialogue about local walkability and pedestrian infrastructure. The organization set out to evaluate the pedestrian environment in Northfield. First, Northfield Common Connections conduced a walk audit. Volunteers traveled by foot through town and evaluated streetscape features that made walking easy or difficult. Additionally, the organization also conducted a survey of pedestrian activity, observing how passersby navigated the street. As a result of their evaluation, organizers decided to paint a walk-bike lane through town. To shield path users from vehicle traffic, volunteers installed delineators along the route. Playful wayfinding signage helps residents navigate the path and organizers added benches to give people a resting place. Organizers say the effort was especially important since the path serves a neighborhood that suffered economic impacts after a hurricane, connecting residents with needed amenities downtown.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Dallas, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: As part of renovations to make the West Dallas Multipurpose Center accessible for people of all ages and abilities, the City of Dallas set out to improve a walking path on the center's grounds. A key goal: give older adults opportunities to exercise and spend time with their grandchildren. To achieve this, the city installed five ADA-compliant benches along the path, which runs alongside a playground. Project organizers say the benches increase walkability at the center, which offers Dallas residents social services, child care and other resources. The benches give visitors a place to rest as they stroll the walking path or supervise children as they play.
Dallas, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: As part of Vision Zero efforts to reduce traffic fatalities, the City of Dallas made improvements to a crosswalk at a major intersection. Many residents traverse the crossing at N. Jim Miller Road and Elam Road to reach apartment buildings, schools, churches and recreational trails. The City installed a new flashing beacon, which activates when pedestrians push a button, along with new countdown displays that tell people how long they have to cross the street. The improvements help alert drivers to people in the crosswalk, making collisions less likely.
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