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Rural Communities Resource Center (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Walkability
└ Walkability
Rural Communities Resource Center organized six walk audits in Orosi to spotlight unsafe streets lacking sidewalks, crosswalks and speed controls. Nearly all participants were age 50-plus, documenting hazards and sharing findings at community meetings. The effort drew attention from local officials and empowered residents to advocate for safer infrastructure. One participant said, "After walking around our town... I felt happy that I could join with others who want to make Orosi a better and safer place."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Birmingham, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Walkability
Description: Older adults in Birmingham faced unsafe sidewalks and limited pedestrian access because walkability data was outdated. The chapter organized walk audits, teaching residents how to spot hazards and share findings with city officials. Participants discovered broken sidewalks and accessibility gaps, creating a report expected to guide funding for completing upgrades. The effort will continue as an annual outreach activity, ensuring neighborhoods advocate for safer walking conditions. "Seeing broken sidewalks while using a walker is a humbling experience," one participant noted, underscoring the need for change.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Austin, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Walkability
Description: Broken sidewalks and debris in busy Austin corridors made walking hazardous for older adults and wheelchair users. The group led two walk audits near grocery stores, documenting safety issues and sharing findings with city officials and nonprofits. The effort raised awareness and sparked discussions on repairs and accessibility. One resident said he welcomed the assessment after a sidewalk crack caused a fall and weeks in rehab, underscoring the need for safer routes for older adults.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Auburn, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Walkability
Description: High-speed corridors and limited accessibility made walking unsafe for older adults in Auburn, yet community input was missing from early design stages. The city organized walk audits where older residents and schoolchildren identified hazards and shared priorities for safer streets. The effort produced design data for two state-funded projects and a future funding request. One participant, who is legally blind, highlighted barriers during the walk, giving others firsthand insight into accessibility challenges and shaping plans for improvements.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Fresno, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Engaging residents alongside thought leaders in problem solving
Description: Statewide advocacy in California can be a difficult process for residents to navigate. To increase community engagement towards more livable communities, the California State University Fresno Foundation created a curriculum tailored to adults aged 50 or older. The Foundation then provided 24 hours of online instruction to a cohort of older adults over the course of several weeks. Participants learned about issues facing older adults in the Central Valley, where the fastest growing demographic is adults over the age of 85. The students heard from -- and about -- local community groups. They also improved their public speaking, leadership and advocacy skills.
Fresno, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: High housing costs and limited multigenerational options in Fresno leave older adults with few affordable choices. To address this, the organization launched an ADU design competition, engaging professionals and students to create sustainable, accessible concepts. Designs were showcased at a public expo with educational materials on permitting and a permanent resource webpage. The effort sparked regional dialogue and plans for a spring roundtable on affordability.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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