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Juneteenth Lehigh Valley (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Walk Audits
└ Walk Audits
A walk audit during the group's Healthfest revealed cracked sidewalks, blocked ramps and unsafe crossings in downtown Easton, limiting mobility for older adults. The audit led to recommendations for repairs, wheelchair-accessible paths and pedestrian-controlled signals at key intersections. Findings were shared with city officials to prompt safety improvements. "Incorporating the Walk Audit was very enlightening to help the...population of downtown Easton," organizers said, noting the effort gave residents a voice in shaping safer streets.
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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Bristol, RI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: The town will prepare for the opening of a new senior and community center by conducting sidewalk audits downtown. They will also hold workshops to recruit volunteers and connect residents with town leaders.
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.
Reno, NV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: Uneven sidewalks, unsafe intersections and disrepair in Reno's dining districts made walking difficult, especially for older adults. The organization led walk audits in three districts, gathering firsthand observations and community feedback, even during snowy conditions, to capture real-world challenges. Data from these audits will guide future design and connectivity improvements and strengthen advocacy for upgrades. One participant who attended a pre-walk meeting said that she was encouraged to learn, engage and provide feedback, and she then rallied others to complete the route.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Palmer Township, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Palmer Township lacked an inclusive outdoor space for cultural learning and community connection. Paza partnered with the township to create a Unity Garden featuring a Native American-inspired sculpture, medicinal plants and pollinators. A wheelchair-accessible path and benches were added, and the site was dedicated with a ceremonial blessing. The garden is now a permanent feature maintained by the library for ongoing programs. "I am proud of the change that Paza has ignited," said a local leader after the township recognized Indigenous Peoples Day, signaling lasting cultural impact.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Northampton, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Digital navigation skills
Description: Northampton County addressed barriers faced by older adults as everyday services moved online. Many residents lacked the skills, support or devices needed to use the internet safely and confidently. The county hosted three in-person digital training events that offered one-on-one instruction from volunteers and students, with hands-on help tailored to individual needs such as connecting to Wi-Fi, improving device performance, protecting privacy and completing common online tasks. Eligible participants also received refurbished devices through the county device giveaway program. Older adults left with practical skills and greater confidence using digital tools to stay connected and manage daily needs. The strong response expanded demand for device distribution and reinforced the county's digital navigator approach, supporting plans to continue and grow these efforts beyond the initial events.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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