AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
City of West Sacramento (2017) Print
2017 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Residents of a senior apartment complex complained that the intersection connecting them to a senior apartment complex to West Sacramento's City Hall, senior center, library and transit center was difficult to cross. To help residents safely reach local amenities, the City of West Sacramento installed countdown timers, pedestrian-controlled crosswalk buttons and talking signals. Since the upgrades, the City reports no older adults have been struck by cars at the intersection. And the project's success has inspired West Sacramento officials to incorporate age-friendly elements in other infrastructure projects, including future crosswalk improvements.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
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.
Burnsville, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Burnsville city staff identified four crosswalks in need of safety improvements. To make the crossings safter for people on foot, they installed flashing beacons, which pedestrians activate by pushing a button. The flashing lights alter drivers to people crossing the street, prompting them to slow down. They also repainted pavement striping, added signage and improved sidewalks to make them ADA-accessible. To evaluate the efficacy of the changes, the City conducted a pedestrian study after installation. The City is now working to educate drivers about the beacons and crosswalk safety.
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.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
West Sacramento, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Emergency preparedness skills
Description: West Sacramento officials were disturbed by the statistics: older adults are more than twice as likely to die or be injured in a house fire. City officials commissioned a video to educate older adults about ways to improve fire safety, focusing specifically on people living in areas with higher incidences of fire-related accidents. The video featured the local fire marshal and residents, who were quizzed on their knowledge of fire safety. They discussed whether they had fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in their homes and what they thought was the leading cause of fires. The video aired on public access television and project organizers posted it online and promoted it via social media. Additionally, the City handed out 96 free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to locals.
West Sacramento, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: The City of West Sacramento wanted to improve older adults' ability to move independently around the community. First, the City identified barriers that kept residents from embracing new transportation services. Then they set out to make older adults aware of local rideshare and bikeshare offerings. To help older adults understand their options, the City held one-on-one trainings with individuals, as well as group training sessions. Additionally, they mailed informational fliers to residents. Data gathered during the pilot project enabled city staff to better understand how to structure programs in the future to maximize ridership among people of all ages. It also expanded many older adults' ability to run errands, meet up with friends and travel to medical appointments. Now we have options, one resident told city planners.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP California State Office
200 S. Los Robles Avenue
Suite 400
Pasadena, CA 91101
United States