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High Line Canal Conservancy (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Walk Audits
└ Walk Audits
Older adults and people with mobility challenges faced barriers accessing a 71-mile urban trail, making safety and usability urgent concerns. The project engaged residents in walk audits and partnered with local university students for a trail-wide accessibility review. Feedback led to a pilot "slow zone" to curb speeding cyclists and informed plans for resurfacing that will widen paths and add ADA ramps. These audits created a model for future engagement, ensuring older adults voices shape trail improvements.
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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Athens, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: This project will feature walk audits in six communities and on two paths and one trail. Community forums will celebrate completion and evaluate results, which will be shared with government officials.
Cambridge, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: Pedestrian safety in Cambridge's Alewife area was hindered by poor crossings and limited accessibility, making it harder for older adults to navigate safely. Green Cambridge organized a walk audit and community tour, engaging residents and producing a report with the National Park Service to guide improvements. The audit raised awareness and informed recommendations for safer connections, with a demonstration project planned to act on these findings. Community involvement strengthened advocacy for inclusive design and laid the groundwork for lasting improvements.
San Francisco, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: San Francisco's Little Chinatown corridor lacked safe, accessible infrastructure for pedestrians, leaving older adults and people with disabilities at risk. The project conducted three walk audits with volunteers and local officials, documenting hazards and gathering input from business owners and parents. Findings highlighted needs for stop signs, improved bus stops and accessibility upgrades. A local business owner stated that these infrastructure improvements will increase safety and access. The audits sparked plans for placemaking improvements, including safety bollards and street art.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Denver, CO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: The project will conduct eight walk audits in a commercial district to identify sidewalk and crosswalk improvements. The project will also host two community meetings with participants and city officials.
Denver, CO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: Older adults in Denver struggle with transportation and resource navigation, limiting independence and increasing isolation. DRMAC addressed this by expanding its Getting There Travel Training program, offering bilingual sessions and guided bus trips to teach trip planning, ticketing and mobility apps. Surveys showed that many participants felt more confident using public transit. The effort strengthened trust in marginalized communities and improved access to daily needs. One participant said that as a result of the help provided by the program, he is excited to now be able to attend spirit-lifting activities.
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