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Harrisonville, MO

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: City Park's disconnected sidewalks forced pedestrians, including older adults, onto roads, raising safety concerns and limiting access to amenities. The city installed 862 feet of concrete sidewalk, added benches, planted trees and placed signage. This created a continuous path that links park features and an ADA-accessible playground. The improvements make walking safer and encourage physical activity and social interaction. "The new park sidewalk allows me to walk early in the morning without fear of being in the street... I love it!" said one resident, reflecting the project's lasting impact on accessibility and community engagement.

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

Hinesburg, VT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: Residents of Kelley's Field, an affordable housing community for older adults, faced safety risks crossing busy Route 116 to reach essential services. Cathedral Square installed a rectangular rapid flashing beacon at the crosswalk, making pedestrians more visible to drivers. The improvement enhances access to public transportation, groceries and community resources, helping residents stay connected and reducing isolation. Residents expressed excitement about using the new signal, which offers a safer way to navigate their town.

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

Fort Wayne, IN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: To encourage walking, cycling and other forms of active transportation, Active Living Indiana worked with Team Better Block to install a temporary traffic-calming plaza on Columbia Avenue. Located near Fort Wayne's greenway, the site featured blue-and-white crosswalk striping, public art installations, foliage and a temporary, bright purple bike path offset from traffic by cones. In order to show residents how changes to the streetscape can make walking safer, the organizations also hosted an event promoting active communities. There, attendees could take in live music, enjoy local food vendors, play street games and experience the traffic calming interventions in-person. Project organizers say they hope the pop-up demonstration will be a springboard for more permanent street redesigns in the future.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Milton, DE

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: Many older adults lacked reliable transportation to medical appointments, creating delays in care and added stress for people who could not drive. The project formed a nursing-transportation partnership that offered an on-demand ride option managed through a virtual platform and supported by a phone line for scheduling. Volunteers trained as care coordinators helped residents request rides, and vouchers were set aside for medical and dental trips. The effort raised awareness about gaps in transportation and prompted plans to build a sustainable model that expands travel training and partnerships. One resident said, "It's comforting to know there are people out there who can be called upon in times of need," reflecting how the service eased concerns about accessing care.

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

Milton, DE

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: The project addressed the lack of places in Milton to rest while walking or waiting for rides, which made it harder for older adults and other residents to stay active or use public transit. The project installed three benches, which were placed near transit stops and community destinations. This gave travelers comfortable spots to pause during daily trips. The benches quickly became gathering points where residents waited for buses, rested between errands and visited with neighbors. One user called them "a blessing," noting how they helped people who rely on transit manage their routines with more ease.

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

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