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Herington, KS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: A neglected downtown pocket park lacked accessible seating, leaving older adults and visitors without a place to rest or connect with others. The VFW installed two benches and an ADA-compliant picnic table, which sparked a larger revitalization that added a drinking fountain and improved landscaping. The upgrades turned the park into a hub during the Old Fashioned Fall Festival and a meeting spot for residents. One older man said that he was very appreciative that the organization was stepping up and doing something to make the city more friendly for older adults.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Chicago, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: Unsafe sidewalks and crossings near 87th and Stony Island left older adults hesitant to walk and feeling isolated. Black Cornerstones audited 253 intersections, gathered resident stories and launched the Reimagine Stony Campaign. The effort produced a detailed walk plan, formed a walking club and hosted a block party to share findings. These steps sparked ongoing safety improvements and inspired similar efforts in other neighborhoods. One participant, age 84, said, "I used to be afraid to walk around my block, but now I feel safe and connected to my neighbors."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Albany, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: In Albany's South End, unsafe streets and concerns about violence make walking risky for residents who rely on it as their main transportation. To address this, the organization led 10 walk audits across key blocks, engaging 27 older adults to pinpoint hazards and recommend improvements. Findings will guide advocacy for safer streetscapes and violence prevention. One participant said she was thankful someone was doing an audit in her neighborhood, which she felt was often overlooked.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Milwaukee, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: The Wisconsin Bike Federation wanted to challenge Milwaukee residents to think differently about their public spaces, especially their streets. To that end, the organization staged a workshop to demonstrate what a safe street looks like and talk with residents about possible improvements in their neighborhood. As part of the event, the Bike Federation conducted a pop-up demonstration showcasing temporary traffic calming interventions outside the United Community Senior Center. Using painted tires and lawn chairs, staff and volunteers created curb extensions, meant to shorten the crossing distance for pedestrians at intersections. They also used chalk paint to add bike sharrows to the street and add color to a crosswalk to make it more visible. Finally, they set up a mini roundabout designed to slow down traffic. The temporary improvements spurred city officials to apply for federal funding to make permanent changes to the street.
Milwaukee, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Mujeres con Poder addressed barriers that made Kozy Park difficult to use for everyday activities, especially for older adults who needed places to rest and feel safe staying longer. Limited seating and unclear safety information meant some residents shortened visits or avoided the park, despite its role as a neighborhood gathering space. The project added benches and safety and wellness signage and paired these upgrades with community walks and planning sessions centered on resident input. The changes had an immediate effect. One grandmother shared that a bench near the playground now allows her to bring her grandson more often because she can sit in the shade while he plays. Together, these improvements supported more consistent park use and strengthened ongoing collaboration around safety and reducing isolation for older adults.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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