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River Region Trails Inc. (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Montgomery's Old Cloverdale neighborhood is a historic area with beautiful, wide streets and compelling architecture but limited sidewalks and crosswalks. To address this, River Region Trains Inc. engaged in a two-week pop-up placemaking event. Using cones and paint, they set up temporary, protected pedestrian lanes on two major connector streets in the neighborhood. Along with two existing lengths of sidewalk, the lanes formed a 2-mile loop, wide enough to accommodate multiple walkers, bikers, runners and people riding scooters. Organizers say the project demonstrated the power of creating walkable streets and encouraged residents to get involved in how their streets are designed and built.
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See More Projects Like This One
Des Moines, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Des Moines' first Complete Streets design boosted walking and biking along Ingersoll Avenue, but busy driveways posed safety risks, especially for older adults more vulnerable in collisions. To address this, the district installed 40 "Watch for Pedestrians & Cyclists" signs at many local properties, creating a consistent safety message across the corridor. With pedestrian visits topping 2 million annually and bike traffic doubling, the permanent signage strengthens long-term safety and complements the city's vision. "We want to encourage this as much as we can and keep our residents safe," said one property owner, underscoring community support.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Charleston, SC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: The West Ashley Greenway in Charleston is an eight-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail, which is popular with walkers, runners and cyclists. However, the greenway crosses several busy streets, leading to accidents between vehicles and pedestrians. To fix this, a team of volunteers created three artistic crosswalk murals, designed to calm traffic. They also installed signage which reminds drivers to look out for people crossing the roadway. "Community members need to be able to get access to places without driving, and to feel safe when they're walking and biking," project director Katie Zimmerman said. "Doing this even in small ways will get more people active and out of their cars."
Jasonville, IN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Jasonville lacked safe sidewalks for older adults to walk and socialize, with no local gyms and uneven routes limiting activity. The Heritage Walkway project added ADA-compliant sidewalks, benches, signage and lighting around the downtown Heritage Block. Volunteers painted a colorful crosswalk leading to the community garden. The walkway now connects key destinations and offers a safe space for exercise and gathering. Residents praised the improvements during a community event, and plans include hosting farmers markets and seasonal activities to keep the area vibrant.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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: 2024
Project Category: Bike Audits
Description: This project will engage volunteers to conduct two bike audits evaluating safety near Montgomery Whitewater park. County officials will analyze the findings and work toward implementing improvements.
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