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Town of Payson (2019) Print
2019 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Town officials, community members and local artists collaborated to construct downtown Payson's first ever crosswalk on historic Main Street. The artistic, accessible crosswalk debuted at the Olde Main Street Days festival, where volunteers helped local artists color in the crosswalk's playful design. The final product, which features two ADA-compliant ramps on either side of the crosswalk, is a functional piece of art that has since spurred three additional outdoor art installations near Main Street.
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Fort Wayne, IN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
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Hinesburg, VT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: To make crossing the street safer, this project installed a flashing beacon light at a village center crosswalk. The crossing is located near Kelley's Field, an affordable housing community for older adults.
Silver City, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Silver City Maitreet hoped to create a sense of place in Big Ditch Park while improving the pedestrian experience. To do this, the organization created a brightly colored artistic crosswalk designed to make people crossing the street more visible to drivers. The nonprofit also worked with volunteers to create two murals -- one depicting a mountain scene and another serving as a selfie wall. Project organizers report visitors frequently take photos at the selfie wall. They also say other communities have reached out for guidance on how to do their own placemaking projects. Silver City Maitreet has since identified two other streets for future activation.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Camp Verde, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: This project aimed to make Heritage Pool more inviting and accessible to people of all ages and abilities. The City of Campe Verde added hard-surface area onsite, with shade structures to protect visitors from the sun's rays. They also picnic tables and launched recreational programming onsite, including exercise and Aqua Zumba classes.
Camp Verde, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: After a resident complained to the mayor that she couldn't walk the 1.6-mile trail circling Camp Verde's new multi-use park and outdoor sports complex without a spot to rest, project organizers set out to add amenities to make the path more accessible. The Camp Verde Parks and Recreation Department added eight benches along the trail, placing each bench in areas popular with older adults. The local Old Guys volunteer group, which brings together retired residents with construction expertise to do community improvement projects, did the installation. As construction continues on the sports complex, project organizers say they will look for additional places to offer seating, ensuring the facilities can welcome people of all ages and abilities.
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