See More Projects Like This One

Swanton, VT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: As part of efforts to redevelop its downtown, the Village of Swanton has worked to makes streets more accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. To build community support, the Village staged a one-day traffic calming demonstration. Using hay bales and planters, the community created a barrier to separate the village's parking area from travel lanes, which successfully slowed down vehicle traffic. They also created bump-outs to shorten the distance needed to cross the street and make pedestrians more visible to passing drivers. During the pop-up, residents had the opportunity to make suggestions for long-term streetscape improvements. Following the demonstration, the Village planted trees along busy streets as a traffic calming measure. The Village also established a task force to look at other opportunities for future demonstration projects to test street infrastructure improvements.

Guaynabo, PR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: To make walking in Guaynabo safer, this project set up to add crosswalks to several intersections along San Patricio Avenue.

Chicago, IL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: To call attention to rough conditions on Chicago's sidewalks and bike routes, the Recyclery Collective commissioned local artists to fill in potholes with mosaics. Project organizers engaged the community to select each installation site. Not only do the colorful mosaics beautify the neighborhood, they also make the pavement easier to navigate. Organizers hope the project brings people together and demonstrates the importance of navigable streets and sidewalks.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Surry, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: This project will create a notice board to display local town and emergency information at the local post office, a regular meeting space. This will specifically benefit older residents who are unable to access information online.

Blue Hill, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Trails

Description: This project set out to create age-friendly trails in Blue Hill. Efforts included constructing an accessible walking path and installing benches along it to give older adults and people with mobility challenges a place to rest. Part of the town's larger Connectivity Plan, organizers hoped the trails would encourage intergenerational activities and give residents opportunities for physical activity. The route runs through Blue Hill's downtown, allowing people to walk to local amenities and shops.

LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED

Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages

people icon

Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities

download icon

Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter

mail icon

Don't see your community listed?

LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORK

Connect with your AARP State Office

AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP Maine State Office

53 Baxter Boulevard
Suite 202
Portland, ME 04101
United States

Phone: 866-554-5380
Fax: 207-775-5727
Email: [email protected]