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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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Woodstock, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Walkability
Description: Walk audits in Woodstock exposed dangerous intersections and barriers for older adults and people with disabilities, including poor crosswalks and speeding traffic. The project organized five audits and two community meetings, raising awareness and building support for a grant to add a pedestrian and bike path. Officials pledged stronger safety measures, and one participant using a rollator said the process gave her hope that changes could make it possible to navigate town safely.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Lincoln, NE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Walkability
Description: Residents along Lincoln's 11th Street faced unsafe crossings and heavy traffic, leaving older adults and families vulnerable. Civic Nebraska organized six walk audits covering eight intersections, surveyed residents and hosted an open house with city staff to spotlight hazards. Volunteers, including older adults, gathered feedback that shaped the 11th Street Corridor Improvement plan. The effort forged a partnership with Lincoln Transportation & Utilities, ensuring future projects reflect lived experience and giving residents a stronger voice in street safety.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Louisville, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Walkability
Description: Unsafe sidewalks and crossings near a community garden left older adults struggling to navigate an area dominated by interstate ramps and a deteriorating pedestrian bridge. The association led three walk audits, documented hazards and pressed officials for change. They restriped Preston Street to add a bike lane, cleared invasive plants to improve visibility and enhanced the garden entryway with salvaged historic materials. These efforts sparked city and state engagement on redesign plans and gave residents a stronger voice in shaping safer streets. One organizer said "I've personally had many close calls attempting to cross these streets," making the need for improvements clear.
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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