AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
Pathway Community Foundation (2025) Print
2025 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Pedestrian Safety
└ Pedestrian Safety
Charlotte's older adults faced daily risks when navigating unsafe streets, where missing sidewalks, short crossing times and dangerous intersections made routine trips difficult. By speaking with more than 100 residents age 50 and over, the project gathered detailed accounts of these challenges and used them to refine a digital tool that highlights hazardous areas and recommends improvements. Residents' input strengthened the tool's accuracy and helped prompt Charlotte officials to consider it for planning decisions. The effort built trust and gave older adults a clearer voice in shaping safer street design that supports their mobility and confidence.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Westport, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Pedestrian Safety
Description: The Slow with the Flow and Walkable Westport campaigns will enhance pedestrian safety. Public art, greenscaping, and crosswalk painting will slow traffic and improve walkability.
Clemmons, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Pedestrian Safety
Description: Pedestrians along Stadium Drive faced unsafe crossings near the library, school and nearby businesses, putting older adults at particular risk due to poor visibility and steady traffic. The Village of Clemmons installed two solar-powered flashing beacon systems at James Street and Bingham Avenue to make crossings more visible and safer, especially at night. The upgrades improve access to key destinations for older adults and students and are expected to build public support for future traffic calming and safety improvements. The installations also help set the stage for broader community discussions at upcoming transportation summits.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
San Antonio, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Pedestrian Safety
Description: The project will improve lighting along walkways throughout Tower Park. Better visibility will reduce fall risk and help people feel safer walking during evening hours.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Charlotte, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Improved wayfinding
Description: Sustain Charlotte addressed a lack of clear greenway information by creating an interactive map showing 62 miles of trails with benches, restrooms and other accessibility features. Volunteers, many age 50-plus, helped gather and test data before the map's public launch. The tool now empowers older adults to plan safe outings and has prompted county planners to explore integrating it into official wayfinding. One participant said, "I had never walked on the greenway... adding these features to the map gave me confidence."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Charlotte, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Charlotte's Little Sugar Creek Greenway is a popular place for pedestrians, but the path through the Parkwood underpass tunnel was dark and uninviting. Working with local partners, Brand the Moth gave the tunnel new life. The organization commissioned two local artists to design a mural, which volunteers helped install during a community paint day. The new artwork represents Charlotte's people, communities and nature. Residents and visitors can now take a walking tour through the mural. Project organizers say they hope the public art project attracts more people to use the greenway.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP North Carolina State Office
5511 Capital Center Drive
Suite 400
Raleigh, NC 27606
United States