AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
See More Projects Like This One
Jerseyville, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Bike Audits
Description: Jerseyville had no bike infrastructure, leaving older adults without safe routes to reach grocery stores and other essentials. Bike audits revealed critical gaps, from missing bike lanes and traffic-calming measures, to the need for signage and parking. These findings will guide a Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, expected to prompt long-term upgrades and safety education. A local cycling advocate said he was excited to see the city begin this effort, calling it an important step toward improving biking and pedestrian access.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Rutland, VT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Bike Audits
Description: Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports addressed barriers that limited older adults and adaptive riders from using wooded trail systems where path width and design often made three wheel bikes difficult to navigate. In a state with a large older adult population, trail managers lacked clear assessments of whether existing routes could safely support these riders. The project conducted adaptive bike assessments across three trail systems, supported by GPS photos shared with land managers. The work increased awareness of how trail design affects access for older adults and adaptive riders. Some trail systems began making upgrades based on the findings. A project lead said the effort reinforced that everyone deserves the opportunity to recreate outdoors.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Richmond, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Bike Audits
Description: Cracked asphalt trails at Four Corners Park limited safe walking and biking for older adults and stalled plans for a tricycle lending program. Fit Houston led two audits with county staff and participants age 50-plus, identifying hazards and advocating for improvements. The effort prompted Fort Bend County to allocate $600,000 for a new 12- to 14-foot concrete trail and spurred collaboration on mapping regional trail connections. Educational materials for trike safety were also developed, giving older adults a role in shaping safer, more accessible recreation spaces.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Flemington, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: The Harvest Family Success Center aimed to help older residents to improve and maintain their health through a better diet. As part of their efforts, the nonprofit established its Cooks Books program. Organizers set up a free, weekly outdoor produce market. Older adults in the community also received weekly wellness phone calls, which served as check-ins to assess their mental state and financial health. In addition, the Center created a library of health and wellness books. Since the initiative launched local businesses and community groups have stepped in to provide additional resources, including access to a dietician. In addition, project organizers report that during the COVID-19 pandemic the market and wellness check-ins helped older adults in the community avoid social isolation.
Trenton, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: The Trenton Health Team wanted to encourage older residents to take up cycling by increasing the community's access to bikes. The organization launched its bike share program, which they geared toward older residents. They obtained 20 bikes, three adult tricycles and a two hand-powered cycles. Then they piloted the bikeshare during Trenton's annual open streets festival. In 2022, the East Trenton Collective offered up a carriage house on its property as a community bike hub for trainings, events, repairs, storage and lending. To spruce up the site, the Trenton Health Team commissioned a fence made of recycled bike parts and artistic bike racks, as well as signage designed by a local artist. The bikeshare is now permanent, with plans to lend out bikes at the community's senior center.
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 New Jersey State Office
303 George Street
Suite 505
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
United States