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Main Street Blytheville (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Accessibility of amenities
└ Accessibility of amenities
A walk audit of Blytheville's downtown revealed many crosswalks didn't include curb cuts, making them difficult to navigate for people with disabilities. Because of this, people using wheelchairs or pushing strollers had to venture into the street to access a ramp. To address this, Main Street Blytheville poured concrete to create 20 curb ramps. Organizers say the ramps make downtown more walkable and inclusive for people of all ages and abilities. One local business owner said, "I didn't even realize how much we needed those until you did this project. I have seen new faces coming into my store and I believe it was because you made it easier for them to get around when they visit." MainStreet organizers report the project has since spurred the City to address other pedestrian infrastructure needs, including leveling uneven sidewalks.
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Fairfield, CT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: Decades of use left the Birds of Prey Compound without safe, accessible pathways, limiting older adults and visitors with mobility challenges from enjoying this popular nature experience. To address this, the organization installed a 160-foot elevated boardwalk with capped railings, a turnaround for wheelchairs and a drainage system for year-round safety. The renovation opened the door to new programs like a winter naturalist series and partnerships with local centers. By improving access, the project combats isolation and promotes health benefits of outdoor activity while deepening community engagement with wildlife education.
Surfside, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: Older adults in Surfside often avoided the beach because soft sand and missing ADA access points made mobility difficult, limiting social and recreational opportunities. To address this, the town installed four ADA-compliant beach mats at high-traffic entrances, creating stable paths for wheelchairs, walkers and other assistive devices. The mats now allow older adults to safely reach the shoreline and shaded areas, reducing isolation and encouraging outdoor activity. One resident said, "The installation of the ADA beach mats has truly been a game-changer for me... I can easily access the sand and feel the ocean breeze without any difficulty."
Helena, MT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: Older adults and wheelchair users faced barriers accessing Tenmile Creek Park near Helena due to limited infrastructure. The project expanded parking and installed the region's only wheelchair charging station at a trailhead, complete with an overhead cover and bench for comfort. Volunteers helped build the overhang and bring electricity to the site, ensuring usability in all weather. These upgrades make outdoor recreation more inclusive and have sparked plans for similar amenities elsewhere, while supporting ongoing trail maintenance for year-round accessibility.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Osceola, AR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Osceola's Rosenwald Park has a popular playground and is located near the county's older adult residential and recreational facility but has always lacked a paved path and sufficient shade for visitors in the hotter months. To improve the park, the City of Osceola built an ADA-accessible walking track that encircles the playground and links it to the sidewalk at the Mississippi County Senior Center. Meanwhile, city planners also worked with a community donor to plant more than a dozen red oaks, which provide a lush, sustainable shade canopy. Organizers say the upgrades have made the park more user friendly for visitors of all ages and abilities.
Keiser, AR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Keiser City Park lacked safe, age-friendly spaces, leaving older adults with few options for exercise and social connection. The project introduced a Senior Area with outdoor fitness equipment, shaded seating and picnic tables, all linked to a new walking trail. These upgrades encourage movement and socialization in a welcoming environment. Early use shows strong community interest, with older residents noting the area's popularity as a sign of success. One organizer mentioned that is was great to see so many people out here utilizing the park. The space is expected to reduce isolation and promote active aging for years to come.
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