Grand Island, NE

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Improved wayfinding

Description: Grow Grand Island installed four sculptural, eight-foot-tall wayfinding totems in Railside, an area in the City's downtown. Designed to help visitors learn about Railside and Grand Island's history and art, the totems feature maps and short descriptions in English and Spanish. Each totem is customized based on its location. In addition, the totems include a QR code linking to historical information about the buildings downtown. This online content can be updated when needed. Project organizers say the totems spurred needed repairs for downtown sidewalks and helped garner funding for more wayfinding signs. As downtown grows, organizers say the totems will play an important role in helping pedestrians navigate and appreciate Grand Island.

Greendale, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Improved wayfinding

Description: After gathering feedback from focus groups with residents, the Greendale Health Department installed directional signs and benches along the village's walking trails. A number of local organizations participated, including the Girls Scouts and students from the local school district. With help from the Greendale Women's Club, they also created and distributed maps of the trails. Project organizers say the effort allowed for community engagement and the new benches, signs and map help residents and visitors better utilize the community's trails.

Kokomo, IN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Improved wayfinding

Description: To encourage residents to be more physically active, the YMCA in Kokomo raised their awareness of county trails, parks and other recreational amenities. The YMCA created signs for the city's trolley stops and for its Walk of Excellence Trail. The signs communicate the distance, direction and walking time to local attractions, including parks, the Kokomo Municipal Stadium and the Kokomo Beach Family Aquatic Center. They also provide information about accessibility for people with disabilities. The project gave the YMCA an opportunity to partner with local stakeholders, such as the city's parks and recreation department and the Indiana University Design Center. Since this effort, the city of Kokomo has continued to promote biking. In 2018, the city launched a free bikesharing program that provides adults and children with bikes, as well as helmets and locks.