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San Diego, CA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Walkability

Description: Cracked and missing sidewalks in Webster Heights made walking unsafe for older adults and families. To address this, the organization led five walk audits with residents to document hazards and identify priority fixes. The effort united neighbors and produced detailed findings for curbs, gutters and sidewalks on key streets, plus plans for a traffic circle. "We could have a meet-and-greet and get more opinions to send to city council", one participant suggested, reflecting growing momentum for improvements and next steps that include funding applications and advocacy.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Auburn, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Walkability

Description: High-speed corridors and limited accessibility made walking unsafe for older adults in Auburn, yet community input was missing from early design stages. The city organized walk audits where older residents and schoolchildren identified hazards and shared priorities for safer streets. The effort produced design data for two state-funded projects and a future funding request. One participant, who is legally blind, highlighted barriers during the walk, giving others firsthand insight into accessibility challenges and shaping plans for improvements.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Boydton, VA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Walkability

Description: Boydton's Tobacco Heritage Trail was seen as unsafe and underused, discouraging walkers, especially older adults. The group conducted walk audits, cleared overgrowth, added wayfinding signs and benches and introduced What3Words for safety. Community hikes and storytelling sessions featuring tobacco heritage helped activate the trail and build engagement. "Adding storytelling changed everything," said an organizer, noting the effort turned skepticism into enthusiasm and prompted infrastructure upgrades that make the trail more inviting for all ages.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Bridgewater, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: After the pandemic heightened isolation, the town lacked an accessible outdoor space for older adults to gather and garden. The Senior Center installed ADA-compliant raised beds and developed a master plan to organize the area, informed by listening sessions with residents and local leaders. The project is paving the way for intergenerational gardening programs and a Garden Club, aiming to reduce loneliness and foster inclusion while creating a vibrant community hub.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Attleboro, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Supporting family caregivers

Description: The project responded to caregivers who stopped exercising or attending social programs because they could not leave loved ones with dementia unattended. The grant created a free respite service staffed by licensed aides, offered during times when older adult classes took place. Caregivers could exercise or reconnect with peers while their loved ones joined supervised group activities. The program helped caregivers regain routine physical activity and social connection while offering participants structured support. As one community member said, "This program is truly remarkable... I wish this program existed when I was caring for them."

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

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