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Lumberton, NC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: This project will provide accessible and affordable transportation for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families. It aims offer door-to-door services for essential needs and social engagements.

Stevens Point, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: Long waits at transit stops without seating made public transportation difficult for older adults. To improve accessibility, the city installed five benches at key stops, including locations near parks and multi-family housing. It also hosted a planning workshop and integrated transit upgrades into neighborhood meetings. The benches not only offer comfort, but sparked plans for a citywide transit strategy in 2024. One bench near a disability services nonprofit was praised for helping clients meet outdoors, showing how small changes can make transit more inclusive.

Lawrence, KS

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: Many of Lawrence's bus stops lacked shelters or seating for waiting riders. As a temporary fix, people left lawn chairs, folding chairs and benches at the bus stops, which locals nicknamed shame benches. The United Way of Douglas County stepped in to install amenities at 15 bus stops, particularly in lower income areas with high ridership. Local youth created art to decorate five existing stops, with students at a local technical school constructing custom-built shelters for another five. Project organizers hope the upgrades make the transit system more accessible to older people, people with disabilities and anyone who can't easily stand on a curb.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Cedar City, UT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: The Iron City Tourism Bureau hoped to improve walkability along three blocks of the Cedar City's University Boulevard. To do this, the organization created an artistic crosswalk at a busy intersection, which both beatified the crossing and made it more visible to drivers. The Bureau also commissioned a mural nearby to commemorate the city's connection to Utah's national parks. To encourage people to walk and gather, they installed benches along the boulevard. New signs directed pedestrians to nearby attractions and services. Following the improvements, the Bureau reported slower traffic speeds. More murals and crosswalk art are in the works and the Bureau is advocating for bike lanes in the neighborhood.

Parowan, UT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: After older adults lost access to a popular recreation site, Parowan built four pickleball courts with fencing, shade structures and bleachers to create a safe, social space. A kickoff tournament during the Fall Festival drew dozens of players age 50-plus and volunteers, sparking new friendships and regular play. The courts now host growing community events, including beginner workshops and age-bracketed tournaments. As one participant said, "These are the best courts... I can do this well into my 70s and 80s."

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