Milwaukee, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: Older adults living near Humboldt Park faced walking conditions that made reaching the park and nearby destinations uncomfortable and, at times, unsafe. Unmarked crosswalks, uneven sidewalks, obstructed paths and short crossing times created challenges, especially for people using mobility aids. Humboldt Park Friends organized six walk audits that brought residents together to examine conditions firsthand and document issues block by block. One participant said they would never walk those streets the same way again after seeing how hazards stacked up within a single block. The findings were shared with residents and local officials, giving older adults a clearer voice in conversations about pedestrian safety and future improvements.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Providence, RI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: Age-Friendly Providence examined pedestrian safety conditions that made walking uncomfortable and risky for older adults in several dense neighborhoods. Uneven sidewalks, traffic conditions and missing comfort features limited confidence and mobility, while residents had few ways to influence street design. Through community walk audits, older adults documented safety and accessibility concerns along targeted routes. Insights from a visually impaired participant highlighted how lifted sidewalks and obstacles pose serious challenges. The findings produced location-specific documentation that is being shared with city planners. By centering lived experience, the project ensured older adult needs are shaping future safety priorities and infrastructure recommendations.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

New York, NY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: Older adults navigating dense city neighborhoods often face hidden accessibility barriers, from uneven sidewalks to businesses that are difficult to enter. Without clear, shared information, these obstacles can limit independence and everyday movement. AXS Lab addressed this gap by hosting three community mapping events that invited residents to document real-world accessibility conditions using walk audits and digital mapping tools. Participants reviewed streets, parks and businesses and contributed hundreds of observations based on lived experience. The effort supported conversations with local officials and community partners and helped businesses better understand accessibility needs. By turning on-the-ground knowledge into shared data, the project strengthened community awareness and created a foundation for ongoing advocacy focused on improving access for older adults.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.