Enid, OK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: Project organizers with Main Street Enid hoped to get drivers to notice pedestrians crossing the street. To do this, they commissioned a local artist to create crosswalks murals. Community members helped paint the designs, which depict a sunset, a cityscape, a flower motif and grains of wheat. In addition to increasing pedestrian safety, project organizers say the artistic crosswalks beatify Enid's arts district.

Birmingham, AL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: In recent years, Birmingham's historic 4th Avenue Business District recently earned a designation as a National Monument for Civil Rights. Organizers hoped to help residents and visitors safely explore the neighborhood on foot. First, organizers conducted a walk audit to evaluate the area's pedestrian infrastructure and identify ways to improve walkability. They then worked with an artist to design pavement murals for each corner of a busy intersection, which volunteers helped paint on the pavement. The colorful sidewalk bulbouts make the crosswalk more visible to drivers, increasing pedestrian safety. Each mural pays tribute to the area's culture and history. Organizers say the placemaking effort also supports wider downtown revitalization plans. The area -- which is home to many Black-owned businesses -- hosts outdoor activities in the summer, including music and arts programming and community service days.

Louisville, KY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: At a width of 150 feet, Louisville's Ninth Street had the feel of a thoroughfare. To improve the street's safety and aesthetics, Louisville Metro Government upgraded sidewalks, painted bars to make crosswalks more visible to drivers and changed signals to give pedestrians more crossing time. To give people a space to rest, they added benches to an underused green space in the median, the site of an existing sculpture. Doing so created a public space for residents declared that a place to sit and rest in the area was one of their preferred amenities. Organizes say the project has sparked conversations about how to continue improving the pedestrian experience on Ninth Street. Louisville is now exploring adding bike lanes, as well as bump-outs to make crossing distances smaller. "We want to redesign this corridor with people in mind and not just cars, Gretchen Millikin," director of advanced planning, said.