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City of Newburgh (2017) Print
2017 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
As part of Orange County's Complete Streets program, the City of Newburgh staged a pop-up demonstration showcasing street safety improvements on Lake Street. To narrow the distance needed to cross the street and make pedestrians more visible to drivers, project organizers painted bump-outs at intersections. They added temporary barriers around the bump-outs to separate them from street traffic. Decorative planters further protected and beatified the space. Additionally, the City used stencils to paint brightly colored polka dots on the sidewalk surface, creating a sense of fun around the intersection.
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Tallahassee, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Speeding along Dempsey Mayo Road endangered pedestrians near a school and a local community where older adults lived. Existing crosswalks in the area lacked visibility. To improve safety, the project installed three raised, art-enhanced crosswalks using durable thermoplastic designs. It engaged more than 150 residents age 50-plus in the planning process. The upgrades slowed traffic and encouraged walking while accelerating county safety plans. Officials called the effort "a major win for the community," and a toolkit now enables similar projects elsewhere.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Grove, OK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Downtown Grove is expanding, with community events and new businesses drawing more pedestrian traffic. But the area's main intersection consisted of two busy highways and hilly terrain could make pedestrians hard to spot. To make the main business district more walkable for people of all ages, this project added solar-powered flashing beacons at the intersection. Pedestrians wishing to cross the street can press a button to turn on the flashing lights. The beacons alert drivers to people in the crosswalk, making collisions less likely.
Chicago, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Busy intersections along 79th Street posed serious safety risks for pedestrians, including older adults, in one of Chicago's high-crash corridors. To slow traffic and improve visibility, the initiative installed colorful pavement art at key crossings and trained local youth to assist with the work, giving them new trade skills. Residents say the redesigned intersections feel safer and easier to navigate. The project is expected to reduce pedestrian accidents and has sparked plans for similar improvements along the corridor, reinforcing efforts to make the area safer and more vibrant.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Dutchess County, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Activities that address social isolation and facilitate community connections
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.
Poughkeepsie, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Transportation Other
Description: New safety features will be added at a popular park, including a speed feedback sign, a flashing pedestrian sign and a clearly marked crosswalk. These improvements will make it safer for people of all ages, especially older adults, to enter the park.
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