Brookings, SD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Pedestrian Safety

Description: Downtown Brookings faced unsafe intersections where fast traffic and poor visibility made it difficult for older adults to cross between parking, housing and key community spaces. The project installed high-visibility crosswalks, painted bump-outs and center-of-street signs that slowed turning vehicles and clarified right-of-way. Volunteers helped paint the designs, strengthening community ownership while creating clearer, more predictable crossings. Residents soon reported that cars slowed or stopped more often, making daily trips feel safer. The changes also encouraged people to walk more and use nearby destinations with greater confidence. These improvements are expected to guide future investments, from long-lasting materials to potential redesigns as the area evolves. Personal stories from residents highlighted how the project made it easier for older adults and families to navigate downtown, showing how simple safety upgrades can create lasting benefits.

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

Hialeah, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Pedestrian Safety

Description: Older adults walking near City Hall faced stressful crossings where traffic volume and limited visibility made it difficult to cross safely. For residents who rely on walking or public transportation, these conditions reduced confidence and limited routine trips. The City of Hialeah improved several crosswalks along a key corridor by increasing visibility and clarifying where pedestrians should cross. The work focused on making crossings easier to see and navigate for older adults moving between housing, civic buildings and nearby services. One longtime resident who uses a walker shared that the brighter crosswalks made the street feel less intimidating and safer to manage. The changes helped older adults move more comfortably through the area and continue everyday activities with greater confidence.

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

Fargo, ND

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Pedestrian Safety

Description: Folkways focused on a downtown intersection where worn pavement and faint crosswalk markings made it harder for people walking, including older adults, to cross safely. The unclear layout limited visibility and reduced driver awareness in a space with steady foot traffic. Working with a local artist and community volunteers, the project installed a ground mural with clearly marked crosswalks and painted bump-outs that visually calm traffic. Residents of different ages took part in the installation, reinforcing the street's role as a shared space. The finished mural improved crossing visibility, helped slow vehicles and created a recognizable landmark that supports ongoing community use and stewardship.

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