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Community Food and Agriculture Coalition (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Walk Audits
└ Walk Audits
Missoula's farmers markets are vital for older adults using SNAP. Yet uneven brick streets, steep ramps and missing sidewalks make access difficult. To address this, the Coalition led walk audits at three markets, covering 2.1 miles and 23 intersections with more than 40 volunteers, including older adults. Audits revealed hazards like debris and poor crossings and tested a mock Neighborway with painted paths and planters to show safer routes. Findings prompted city leaders to integrate accessibility audits into future planning and advanced momentum for permanent improvements. Participants spoke highly of the Neighborway and felt safer having a dedicated space for non-motorized traffic.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Philadelphia, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: Uneven sidewalks, obstructed curb ramps and short crossing times on Girard Avenue limited safe travel for older adults and people with mobility challenges. Two community-led walk audits engaged more than 20 participants and produced a report with recommendations on curb ramp repairs, clearer crosswalk markings and better signal timing. The process strengthened ties with city agencies and made officials more responsive to unified community input. A near-miss when a driver ran a light underscored urgency and helped build support for long-term corridor improvements.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Jacksonville, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: Mayport Village faced safety risks from missing sidewalks, forcing residents to walk in traffic. A walk audit documented these gaps and engaged experts in mobility and design to strengthen credibility. Findings will be presented to city officials to push for safer streets and improved walkways aligned with Jacksonville's vision plan. One recalled walking with a stroller in the street to vote, saying cars honked and yelled at her- an important reminder of why these changes matter.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Berkley, MI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: Downtown Berkley's main corridor lacked safe, walkable routes for older adults, even near age-restricted housing, limiting social connection and daily well-being. To address this, the agency led walk audits along Coolidge during a popular Halloween event, engaging residents and collecting feedback on sidewalks and crossings. Surveys highlighted ideas for streetscape upgrades during planned road reconstruction. The audits advanced dialogue on walkability and influenced city planning. One older adult shared, "When the weather is good and I get to walk through downtown my day instantly gets better. There are a lot of friends I get to see in different shops and on the street."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Missoula, MT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Missoula's Transportation Planning hoped to improve safety at a busy intersection in the Riverfront neighborhood, while also giving people a space to gather. First, project organizers asked residents and local business owners for their ideas to improve the streetscape. Ahead of activating the intersection, the city's public works department made upgrades to pavement and water mains. Based on community feedback, Missoula Transportation Planning then created bulb-outs, which extend the curb into the intersection, giving pedestrians extra space, making them more visible to drivers and shortening the distance needed to cross the road. Curb ramps make the crosswalks accessible. To create a seating area, they also created two parklets -- mini-parks that fit in the footprint of on-street parking spaces. The parklets featured art, a space to park bikes and decorative foliage.
Missoula, MT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: To improve public health and increase residents' physical activity, the City of Missoula launched the Rx Trails program. Through the initiative, the local Parks and Recreation Department partners with local health care providers encourage patients to walk. The City worked to designate a path through McCormick Park as an Rx trail -- pathways featuring amenities including, drinking fountains, benches and accessible parking. They installed two benches and posted a map to help visitors navigate the trail. Additionally, they distributed promotional materials to residents to inform them about Rx Trails.
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