Wake Forest, NC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: Older residents faced safety and mobility challenges when walking through town, including missing sidewalk connections and obstacles that made short trips less predictable. These gaps limited independence for older adults and others with physical challenges, especially near housing, schools and shopping areas. The Town of Wake Forest addressed the issue by conducting a series of walk audits in different parts of town, starting downtown. Older volunteers documented barriers and identified specific improvements needed to make walking safer and more continuous. Findings were compiled into a presentation for planning staff and elected officials. One audit revealed a sidewalk that stopped short of connecting affordable housing to nearby shops, forcing residents to walk in traffic. That example helped inform discussions tied to the Age-Friendly Action Plan and future decisions about sidewalk connectivity and pedestrian investment.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Worcester, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: Two walk audits will examine broken pedestrian connections between divided neighborhoods. The findings will support safer crossings and more welcoming public spaces.

Detroit, MI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: A few walk audits will be conducted with community partner organizations. Meetings will review findings and explore solutions to pedestrian issues.