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Sioux Falls, SD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: The City of Sioux Falls hoped to encourage residents to consider active transportation -- walking and biking -- as a way to get around. To do this, the City created a quick-build infrastructure kit, which it used to install a temporary protected bike lane at one location and a curb bump-out at another. The bump out -- a safe extension of the sidewalk into the street -- makes pedestrians more visible to drivers and shortens the distance needed to cross the street. City planners gathered feedback from cyclists in the community, who suggested possible future locations for protected bike lanes. Because the infrastructure kit is mobile, the City hopes to deploy it elsewhere in the future.

Anchorage, AK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: The project will create temporary, protected bike lanes and hold group rides to introduce the community to this new infrastructure.

Sutton, WV

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: The Town of Sutton is home to a popular community garden and vibrant farmers market, but the two were cut off from each other by a busy street. To help residents take advantage of both amenities, Sutton Community Development Corporation connected the spaces by adding a crosswalk. Volunteers painted the crossing's pavement with bright colors, making it more visible to passing drivers. They also planted flags along the path between the garden and market to guide people from one to the other. Additionally, the CDC improved gathering spaces at the garden and market. They added tables and seating to the garden space to allow people to gather there. To improve the market space, volunteers installed string lights and shade sails and cleaned up a state area at the market, which had been damaged in high winds.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Rossville, KS

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Trails

Description: This project will create a multipurpose trail to enable safe outdoor exercise and allow older adults to gain the health benefits of walking and biking.

Blue Rapids, KS

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: This project transformed a basketball court in City Park into two pickleball courts. The fast-paced, low-impact game is a cross between tennis and ping-pong and is popular among older adults. To attract more people to the sport, Blue Rapids Community Action Team also hosted an event teaching residents about how to play pickleball, as well as the game's health and social benefits.

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