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Delta Chapter of the Sierra Club (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Transportation Systems Change
└ Transportation Systems Change
Baton Rouge's fragmented transit system left riders and operators without reliable service, forcing older adults and low-income residents to endure long waits and limited access to jobs and resources. The project organized community meetings to unite riders and operators, began developing a regional dashboard for transparency, and launched a video chronicling a day on local transit. Strong turnout and commitments from transit agencies marked a major step toward collaboration, laying the groundwork for a master plan and long-term improvements in service.
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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Madison, GA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Transportation Systems Change
Description: Busy state highways and missing accessible signals made walking downtown risky, especially for older adults and residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods. Madison responded by improving sidewalk paths with curb cuts, ramps and tactile pads, adding new crosswalks and wayfinding signs. It also created a micro-park with benches and footbridges along a creek. These upgrades not only provide safer routes to schools, shops and community spaces but also sparked broader planning for walkability and multi-modal transportation, giving residents a quiet place to connect and stay active.
Dallas, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Transportation Systems Change
Description: Better Block Foundation tackled unsafe streets and missing sidewalks in Dallas, where older adults lacked accessible spaces to gather. The team installed an ADA ramp, added benches at bus stops and introduced speed bumps near a food bank serving 1,800 families. Volunteers transformed a parking lot into a shaded seating area and created market stall designs for future use. The effort prompted city discussions on street redesign and tree planting. As one partner said about the speed bumps, "We are so grateful... It's very dangerous. We have needed them for a long time."
Chapel Hill, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Transportation Systems Change
Description: Frequent crashes on high-injury corridors put pedestrians, especially older adults, at risk when walking to transit or community centers. To address this, the town piloted traffic calming measures including modular refuge islands, a traffic circle and a chicane near key locations. It also hosted a Vision Zero Community Safety Festival and outreach events to educate residents and gather input. These efforts improved safety and accessibility, energized community engagement and accelerated adoption of an updated Traffic Calming Policy, laying the foundation for broader Vision Zero initiatives.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Bunkie, LA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Older residents in Bunkie lacked walkable routes and green spaces, limiting opportunities for social connection and physical activity. The project introduced a historic walking tour with a wayfinding sign, pamphlets and a dedicated bench along the route. The tour promotes activity and community ties while building support for Complete Streets improvements. "I rarely came out and walk anymore but I'm excited to take the self-guided walking tour with my grandchildren now," said one participant.
West Baton Rouge, LA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places
Description: The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge has been involved in community art and arts education for many years. The Council engaged professional writing instructors to hold two workshops for older adults in creative writing, poetry, self-publication and basic editing. They then invited participants to share their writing with the public at an open mic night. Project organizers also created a post-workshop online forum, allowing the cohort to continue writing together and receiving feedback on their work.
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