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Los Angeles, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: Older adults in Little Tokyo faced cracked pavement, unsafe intersections and accessibility challenges that discouraged visits to this historic neighborhood. Keiro led two walk audits of 11 intersections before major community events, engaging volunteers and local leaders to identify hazards and advocate for improvements. The effort sparked dialogue with stakeholders and boosted confidence among older adults to return. One participant said the audits helped create "a more welcoming environment for seniors to come back and reconnect," reinforcing cultural ties and mobility.
Cambridge, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: Pedestrian safety in Cambridge's Alewife area was hindered by poor crossings and limited accessibility, making it harder for older adults to navigate safely. Green Cambridge organized a walk audit and community tour, engaging residents and producing a report with the National Park Service to guide improvements. The audit raised awareness and informed recommendations for safer connections, with a demonstration project planned to act on these findings. Community involvement strengthened advocacy for inclusive design and laid the groundwork for lasting improvements.
San Francisco, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: San Francisco's Little Chinatown corridor lacked safe, accessible infrastructure for pedestrians, leaving older adults and people with disabilities at risk. The project conducted three walk audits with volunteers and local officials, documenting hazards and gathering input from business owners and parents. Findings highlighted needs for stop signs, improved bus stops and accessibility upgrades. A local business owner stated that these infrastructure improvements will increase safety and access. The audits sparked plans for placemaking improvements, including safety bollards and street art.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Albany, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The Underground Railroad Education Center constructed an accessible, indoor garden in the Arbor Hill neighborhood, whose residents lack access to fresh produce and gardening space. Designed for year-round use, the new hoop house represents an intergenerational collaboration between younger and older adults. Local teenagers created and installed planters and now help grow food there. Albany businesses and volunteers also contributed to the project by building benches for the site. Today, the Center grows produce, such as lettuce, in the greenhouse, which it donates to people in the community.
Albany, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing
Description: Rural New York faces a growing population of those age 50-plus along with limited housing options. Yet, many communities lack ADU ordinances and awareness of state funding. To address this, the coalition hosted two webinars for planners and housing groups on ADU benefits and mailed AARP's ADU guide to county offices. It also posted sample ordinances online to help communities act. The effort aims to spur adoption of ADUs for multigenerational living and aging in place. "We are hopeful that... more communities adopt local ordinances that permit ADUs," said the organization, which plans to expand outreach at its next annual conference.
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