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Anchorage, AK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: Anchorage lacked safe bike routes downtown, discouraging older adults from riding beyond trails and limiting access to social destinations. Bike Anchorage introduced a two-way protected bike lane and hosted nine group rides, including a Senior Center block party, to help residents experience the new design. Riders received safety gear and repair kits, building confidence and community support. The pilot cleared the way for future bike infrastructure. One participant said the rides showed bike lanes "aren't just infrastructure, they're a catalyst for community connection."

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

Yukon, OK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: Downtown events in Yukon forced older adults to cross a busy four-lane road with short signals and poor sight lines, creating safety risks. The project introduced 10 portable crosswalk signs with flashing light bars, four event parking signs and six sets of pedestrian flags to improve visibility and slow traffic. These quick-action tools made crossings safer and sparked plans for permanent PedFlag installations and sidewalk upgrades, ensuring older adults can navigate downtown events with greater confidence. One person said that these improvements improved her sense of safety and made it easier to access the garden with peace of mind.

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

Carlsbad, NM

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: This project set out to beautify Carlsbad's downtown and make walking safter. To do this, organizers repainted crosswalks with thermoplastic materials, which are designed to withstand the sun's rays. Over time, the crossing lines painted in many intersections had faded under the sun. The new crosswalks are more visible, which improves safety by helping drivers spot pedestrians crossing the street. Project organizers hope the improved streetscape draws more people downtown, supporting the local economy.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Montgomery, AL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: Drivers in Montgomery can't help but slow down when they approach the crosswalk on busy Mulberry Street. The crossing features solar-powered, pedestrian-activated crossing signals as well as a pavement mural -- all of which calm passing traffic and improve pedestrian safety. After calling on residents to submit their ideas for the mural, the City's traffic engineers painted the crossing to look like a troll bridge. Connecting a residential neighborhood to the local elementary school, the crosswalk depicts a wooden bridge with a mom, dad and baby troll hanging on its sides. The bridge allows students to safety get to school and also enables pedestrians to traverse Mulberry Street's many small businesses. We had about 30 designs submitted for the crosswalkand all of them were delightful, but the Hardy design made the whole selection committee smile, Lynda Wool, a senior planner for the city of Montgomery, told Design Alabama.

Montgomery, AL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: An ADA accessible riverfront stage with seating, lighting and wayfinding will be constructed. The venue will support live music and other public events.

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