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Safe Routes Partnership (2019) Print
2019 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
To mark the arrival of a new grocery store to the Bellevue neighborhood, Safe Routes to Healthy Food for Older Adults set out to improve traffic safety, increasing locals' ability to access food. At the annual Taste of Harvest Festival, residents of the Bellevue neighborhood helped paint a vibrant, vegetable-themed crosswalk. The event also invited attendees to paint reusable shopping bags, which gave project organizers an opportunity to chat with residents about their ideas for improving neighborhood safety. Following the success of that even, organizers created a second artistic crosswalk at a mobile farmer's market near a local library branch. While painting took place, project organizers conducted a survey to gather feedback on traffic safety. This led to conversations about residents' frustrations accessing healthy, affordable food. Organizers say they hope the project leads to permanent infrastructure improvements in the future.
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See More Projects Like This One
Burnsville, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Burnsville city staff identified four crosswalks in need of safety improvements. To make the crossings safter for people on foot, they installed flashing beacons, which pedestrians activate by pushing a button. The flashing lights alter drivers to people crossing the street, prompting them to slow down. They also repainted pavement striping, added signage and improved sidewalks to make them ADA-accessible. To evaluate the efficacy of the changes, the City conducted a pedestrian study after installation. The City is now working to educate drivers about the beacons and crosswalk safety.
Milton, DE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Fast-moving traffic made walking hazardous in Milton's historic district. The town launched an Art Crosswalk project, painting colorful designs at key crossings to slow cars and promote pedestrian safety. Over 135 volunteers helped create a walking tour linking parks, shops and cultural sites. The project sparked community pride and inspired plans for future public art. "It's fantastic, so colorful, so whimsical!" said one resident, reflecting how art and safety improvements can transform a town's streetscape.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Hamilton, MT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Fast traffic and unsafe crossings on State Street and Southside streets made walking hazardous for older adults and residents of an income-restricted housing complex. The city partnered with Bike Walk Bitterroot and Western Transportation Institute to install pop-up traffic calming features, including neighborhood traffic circles and sidewalk extensions with pedestrian refuge islands. Volunteers helped implement the designs after community walk audits. The changes slowed vehicles and improved visibility, making crossings safer for pedestrians. Residents praised the improvements, and the city plans seasonal reinstallation and is exploring permanent solutions based on data and feedback.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Washington, DC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Residents and caregivers in living facilities for older adults often feel invisible, a challenge rooted in age stereotypes. Forest Hills of DC launched a temporary public art initiative featuring portraits and personal stories displayed as a large mural during a citywide art festival. The project included a workshop on dismantling age bias and a digital exhibit that remains online. The mural boosted morale, drew broad attention and increased volunteer engagement, with local media coverage and a visit from the mayor. "At Forest Hills, we truly believe in the magic that art and community can bring to our lives," said one participant.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Washington, DC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places
Description: The large concrete plaza near the Van Ness Metrorail Station was barren and lifeless. Calling themselves the Van Ness Social Club, a group of residents and local organizations got together to create a temporary town square onsite. They created an invitation that read, in part: Get to know your neighbors at a good old fashioned social. We'll meet each other on the plaza...and learn some dance steps...drink tea, eat cake, play games...and have conversations with each other. The gathering featured life-sized checkers, dancing, free ice cream and yoga. After the plaza party, the newly acquainted neighbors were filled with ideas for future gatherings: a community potluck, a clothing swap meet, relay races, birthday parties, game nights, pizza nights and a Halloween party.
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