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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
Deerfield Beach, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Northeast Third Avenue in Deerfield Beach is a busy corridor that connects residents to many schools, businesses and medical offices, but lacks pedestrian and bike infrastructure. The City of Deerfield Beach, in partnership with the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization, created an art-filled pop-up safety demonstration at several key intersections along the roadway. To make crossing the street easier, the project temporarily added curb extensions and pedestrian refuges. Artwork painted on a pavement made crosswalks more visible. Additionally, organizers created brightly painted, protected bike lanes and added signs encouraging cars to slow down.
St. Louis, MO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: To improve pedestrian safety, this project helped build and creatively paint two crosswalks on a prominent boulevard where there are long stretches without designated crossings.
Grove, OK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Downtown Grove is expanding, with community events and new businesses drawing more pedestrian traffic. But the area's main intersection consisted of two busy highways and hilly terrain could make pedestrians hard to spot. To make the main business district more walkable for people of all ages, this project added solar-powered flashing beacons at the intersection. Pedestrians wishing to cross the street can press a button to turn on the flashing lights. The beacons alert drivers to people in the crosswalk, making collisions less likely.
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AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
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AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Transportation Systems Change
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