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Go Green Wilmette (2017) Print
2017 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Bikeability
└ Bikeability
Environmental advocacy group Go Green Wilmette raised awareness of cycling through tactical urbanism, which involve short-term, low-cost changes meant to inspire longer-term improvements. The organization staged a village bicycle ride in partnership with the Wilmette Park District and Bike Wilmette. Along the route, the group installed a temporary protected bicycle lane. They did this using a pop-up toolkit they created, which includes planters, stencils and signs for use in temporary demonstrations. Go Green Wilmette later redeployed these items at school bike rodeo safety events and made them available to residents to use at block parties. In 2021, Wilmette's village board approved its Master Bike and Active Transportation Plan. Shaped by community input, the plan aims to improve pedestrian and cycling access to the Village's business district, parks, schools, transit stations and other destinations.
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See More Projects Like This One
Bayfield, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: Visitors to Beaver Hollow -- a popular outdoor recreation center -- often arrived by bicycle. But the facility didn't offer secure bike parking. Responding to community members' feedback, the Friends of North Pikes Creek Wetlands installed a new wave-style bike rack, which accommodates 13 bikes. They also added a bench nearby to give people a place to rest. To make the space appealing, volunteers planted native flowers and added decorative boulders. Organizers hope the improvements draw more people to Beaver Hollow, allowing them to spend time outdoors.
Florence, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: Homeless residents and older adults in Florence relied on bicycles, but often lacked tools for safe repairs. The church installed a bike rack and repair station with community signage, offering free access to tools and a pump. Volunteers age 50-plus completed the installation, and guests now maintain bikes for transportation to showers, meals and jobs. The project promotes mobility and safety for those facing economic hardship.
Cumberland, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: The project will provide two fat tire tricycles for older adults to use on Town Forest trails. These tricycles will offer a safe and inclusive way to enjoy outdoor activities, with staff support and mandatory safety talks.
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Evanston, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing
Description: To help mitigate housing affordability challenges, the City of Evanston created a digital guide for homeowners looking to build accessory dwelling units to their property. Written in partnership with the Evanston Development Cooperative, the guide covers zoning, financing, design and construction, as well as information about who typically lives in ADUs. Additionally, the City hosted a webinar on ADU construction, which it recorded and posted on its website. In fall 2020, the City updated its ADU ordinance to give homeowners more flexibility, allowing them to create separate housing units either attached to or within their existing homes. Project organizers say the guidebook has helped spread the word about the update. ADU construction in Evanston has increased since the guidebook's publication and City has worked to make model ADU blueprints available to residents.
Skokie, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Disaster Preparedness
Description: This project will provide disaster preparedness training to staff at agencies supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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