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Northfield, VT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: Northfield Common Connections wanted to start a community dialogue about local walkability and pedestrian infrastructure. The organization set out to evaluate the pedestrian environment in Northfield. First, Northfield Common Connections conduced a walk audit. Volunteers traveled by foot through town and evaluated streetscape features that made walking easy or difficult. Additionally, the organization also conducted a survey of pedestrian activity, observing how passersby navigated the street. As a result of their evaluation, organizers decided to paint a walk-bike lane through town. To shield path users from vehicle traffic, volunteers installed delineators along the route. Playful wayfinding signage helps residents navigate the path and organizers added benches to give people a resting place. Organizers say the effort was especially important since the path serves a neighborhood that suffered economic impacts after a hurricane, connecting residents with needed amenities downtown.

Deerfield Beach, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: Northeast Third Avenue in Deerfield Beach is a busy corridor that connects residents to many schools, businesses and medical offices, but lacks pedestrian and bike infrastructure. The City of Deerfield Beach, in partnership with the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization, created an art-filled pop-up safety demonstration at several key intersections along the roadway. To make crossing the street easier, the project temporarily added curb extensions and pedestrian refuges. Artwork painted on a pavement made crosswalks more visible. Additionally, organizers created brightly painted, protected bike lanes and added signs encouraging cars to slow down.

Spearfish, SD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: This project improved crosswalks -- as well as directional signage -- in Spearfish. Organizers worked to identify areas frequented by older adults. Then they ensured intersections in those areas had curb cuts, making them more accessible.

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Dutchess County, NY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Community Health and Economic Empowerment

Description: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many older adults faced social isolation. To address this, the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region enlisted local young people to write cards to homebound community members. The organization hosted several virtual letter writing parties. During the online gatherings, project organizers gave the letter writers tips for how to engage with older adults in daily life, such as how to check-in on a neighbor, help deliver groceries or offer to shovel snow. Volunteers then delivered the cards along with care packages containing essential items, such as hygiene kits and food. Even as the pandemic lifted, the United way has continued to host its letter writing parties with the goal of fostering intergenerational relationships and social connectedness.

Kingston, NY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: The City of Kingston installed two chess tables with seating at its waterfront T.R. Gallo Wes Strand Park. Dubbed a chess playground, the facilities are meant to allow people of all generations to play chess or checkers. In addition to tables and benches, the City added an accessible, concrete sidewalk and improved landscaping onsite. With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the new tables gave residents a safe, outdoor space to gather.

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