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2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Speeding along Dempsey Mayo Road endangered pedestrians near a school and a local community where older adults lived. Existing crosswalks in the area lacked visibility. To improve safety, the project installed three raised, art-enhanced crosswalks using durable thermoplastic designs. It engaged more than 150 residents age 50-plus in the planning process. The upgrades slowed traffic and encouraged walking while accelerating county safety plans. Officials called the effort "a major win for the community," and a toolkit now enables similar projects elsewhere.
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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Chicago, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Busy intersections along 79th Street posed serious safety risks for pedestrians, including older adults, in one of Chicago's high-crash corridors. To slow traffic and improve visibility, the initiative installed colorful pavement art at key crossings and trained local youth to assist with the work, giving them new trade skills. Residents say the redesigned intersections feel safer and easier to navigate. The project is expected to reduce pedestrian accidents and has sparked plans for similar improvements along the corridor, reinforcing efforts to make the area safer and more vibrant.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Jenkins, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Cracked sidewalks along Jenkins' main corridor made trips to the library, pharmacy and city hall risky for older adults in nearby housing. Appalshop repaired walkways and added wheelchair ramps, restoring safe access to essential services. A striking Luna Moth mural now anchors the corridor, symbolizing resilience after the 2022 flood and offering a space for reflection. Residents say the upgrades let them walk with confidence and reconnect socially, while the improvements set the stage for future projects like the planned Tanglewood Trail.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Truth or Consequences, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Main Street Truth or Consequences set out to improve the walkability of downtown Truth or Consequences. The small New Mexico city got its name from a 1950s TV show and is known for its colorful annual fiesta that features a parade, calf roping and a rubber duck race on the Rio Grande. This project replaced deteriorated sidewalks and reduced tripping hazards. The organization also created its Walk Downtown outreach program to encourage residents to take up walking. Walking remains a popular activity in Truth and Consequences thanks in part to the three-mile-long Healing Waters Trail, which starts and ends downtown.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Tallahassee, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The Goodwood Museum and Gardens revitalized a historic roller rink, transforming it into a gathering space for outdoor activities. The rink -- originally built in 1916 -- sat vacant for years, but the Museum saw potential for the 10,000-square-foot site. Accessibility was a main goal for project organizers, so the Museum installed an ADA-compliant sidewalk, ramp and handrails. They also added lighting to increase safety at the site, levelled the rink's concrete surface, added landscaping and upgraded electrical wiring. These enhancements attracted community partners to the space, including the Irish Repertory Theater and the Southern Shakespeare Company. Today the site hosts a monthly live performance featuring local musicians, along with other community activities.
Tallahassee, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: Transportation barriers in Leon County left many older adults missing medical appointments and struggling with food insecurity. The project provided over 600 rides for people age 50-plus to health care, food pantries and essential services, improving access and reducing stress. Nearly half of the trips were for food, and others connected veterans to VA care. One rider said the program let her visit her church pantry safely and gave her a reliable transportation option.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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