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Silver City, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Silver City Maitreet hoped to create a sense of place in Big Ditch Park while improving the pedestrian experience. To do this, the organization created a brightly colored artistic crosswalk designed to make people crossing the street more visible to drivers. The nonprofit also worked with volunteers to create two murals -- one depicting a mountain scene and another serving as a selfie wall. Project organizers report visitors frequently take photos at the selfie wall. They also say other communities have reached out for guidance on how to do their own placemaking projects. Silver City Maitreet has since identified two other streets for future activation.
Baltimore, MD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Organizers with Pigtown Main Street hoped to revitalize the intersection of Washington and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevards. The intersection acts as a gateway to Pigtown, one of Baltimore's most diverse neighborhoods. However, Washington Boulevard is a six-lane divided highway and public spaces along the route have been neglected. To help residents envision street improvements, Pigtown Main Street organized a pop-up event, creating a park at the intersection. Ideas presented included adding curb extensions to help pedestrians cross the street safety, installing bike lanes, reducing the number of travel lanes, displaying public art, creating outdoor seating and eating areas and improving landscaping. Visitors to the pop-up were invited to share their feedback. Organizers set up Dot Boards, which allowed people to place a dot by the photos of activities they'd like to see more of. The top five choices: live performances, outdoor food, parties, art events and outdoor classes.
Pittsburgh, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: This project will train people how to advocate for their neighborhoods to receive traffic calming improvements to protect cyclists and pedestrians, as well as people with disabilities and older adults.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Shakopee, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: When a new development threatened to displace an active community garden, residents of Shakopee were disappointed. But the City of Shakopee saw an opportunity to move the garden in a more centrally accessible location near a popular bicycle and pedestrian route. This project added a concrete patio, new garden beds, seating, bike racks and trash and recycling bins to the new garden. With ADA-compliant features, including a concrete path and benches, the space is accessible to gardeners of all ages and abilities. Since the relocation, the garden provides fresh produce to families in need throughout Shakopee.
West St. Paul, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: The city will host a series of intergenerational events meant to revive an underused public park. The events, including a movie in the park, community meal and crosswalk painting, will inform future park system improvements.
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