Newburyport, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Bike Audits

Description: Newburyport Livable Streets focused on safety challenges faced by older adults traveling along busy corridors connecting schools, recreation areas, shopping and health care services. Traffic speed, nighttime visibility and roadway design raised concerns for people walking and biking. The project conducted daytime bike audits and nighttime audits at key intersections, engaging many participants age 50 and over to document conditions. Observations captured issues such as lighting, crosswalk visibility and interactions with vehicles. The resulting reports are being prepared for city officials and advisory committees. The work positioned older adult safety needs within upcoming planning discussions and created a foundation for future roadway improvements.

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

Fremont, NH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: To make Memorial Park more accessible for older adults and residents with disabilities, the Town of Fremont built a ramp from the park's parking lot to the playing fields. Previously, visitors had to navigate a steep dirt path to reach the ballfields. A local Eagle Scout candidate led the project. After the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in 2020, the Town moved many indoor events to Memorial Park's ballfields, so people could attend safely in the open air and practice the social distancing.