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City of Raymore (2018) Print
2018 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
As part of efforts to establish Raymore's Municipal Circle as the heart of the community, the City of Raymore created a paved crosswalk. Before, visitors to nearby municipal buildings crossed at unmarked points, leading to safety concerns. To further increase a sense of public safety, they City added lighting. Additionally, they installed park benches nearby to give pedestrians a place to rest. Foot traffic in the neighborhood has increased in recent years -- a new community event space opened nearby and more development is expected. City officials also hope the crosswalk project serves as a pilot for improving walkability in other parts of town.
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Hartford, CT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: To draw more visitors to Colt Park, organizers with the Green and Blue Foundation hoped to make the area around the green space safer for pedestrians. Hartford's professional soccer team, the Hartford Athletic, hosts games at the park's stadium, the green space is otherwise underused. The Foundation joined with local partners and community leaders to host a walk audit to identify safety and aesthetic improvements that would make Colt Park more attractive to visitors. This project improved crosswalks near the park and installed traffic calming device, including speed bumps. Additionally, the Foundation beautified parking barriers, planted flower beds and added ADA-compliant benches.
Wayne, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: The downtown area of Wayne, Maine, appears suddenly to drivers traveling along Route 133, a busy state highway. Because of curves in the road and a hill, pedestrians crossing Main Street often aren't visible to drivers until the last second. "Logging trucks and other large trucks race through town, barely slowing down as they do," said Stan Davis, chair of the community's aging-at-home committee. To make pedestrians more noticeable, Aging at Home installed flashing Reduce Speed at either end of Wayne's downtown area. The town also purchased portable pedestrian crossing signs. Spurred by the success of the improvements, they plan to continue advocating for sidewalks in central Wayne to make walking even safer.
Cedar City, UT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: The Iron City Tourism Bureau hoped to improve walkability along three blocks of the Cedar City's University Boulevard. To do this, the organization created an artistic crosswalk at a busy intersection, which both beatified the crossing and made it more visible to drivers. The Bureau also commissioned a mural nearby to commemorate the city's connection to Utah's national parks. To encourage people to walk and gather, they installed benches along the boulevard. New signs directed pedestrians to nearby attractions and services. Following the improvements, the Bureau reported slower traffic speeds. More murals and crosswalk art are in the works and the Bureau is advocating for bike lanes in the neighborhood.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Pleasant Hill, MO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Limited seating in Pleasant Hill's park and recreation complex made it harder for older adults and people with mobility challenges to rest, watch events and stay engaged. The City of Pleasant Hill installed benches, picnic tables and a swing at both sites, placing them near paths and activity hubs to create reliable rest spots. Residents quickly reported benefits, noting it is easier to include family members with mobility needs and stay longer at gatherings. Early use highlighted demand for more seating and shade, guiding next steps as the city plans additional park improvements.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Harrisonville, MO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: City Park's disconnected sidewalks forced pedestrians, including older adults, onto roads, raising safety concerns and limiting access to amenities. The city installed 862 feet of concrete sidewalk, added benches, planted trees and placed signage. This created a continuous path that links park features and an ADA-accessible playground. The improvements make walking safer and encourage physical activity and social interaction. "The new park sidewalk allows me to walk early in the morning without fear of being in the street... I love it!" said one resident, reflecting the project's lasting impact on accessibility and community engagement.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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