Batesville, AR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: Inspired by the momentum of a three-year beautification effort, Main Street Batesville made upgrades to a sidewalk that had fallen into disrepair. The improved walkway, which connects Main Street to nearby Mayfield Park, includes new concrete slabs featuring inlaid brick directional arrows. To pay homage to local history, the sidewalk incorporates bricks from the Alder building, a landmark that recently suffered from a wall collapse. Project organizers say the new, even surface is now safer to walk on. Placemaking efforts also involved adding a mural and signage directing people to Mayfield park.

DeRidder, LA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: The City of DeRidder set out to improve walkability, allowing residents to reach cultural amenities and social opportunities on foot. They worked to install accessible sidewalks, paint crosswalk to make them more visible and add wayfinding signage downtown. The city's core is home to government offices, a public library branch, a theater and art gallery and a regular farmers market, as well as a pocket park and downtown pavilion.

St. Louis, MO

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: To demonstrate safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists, Trailnet created a pop-up parklet kit for its Traffic Calming Lending Library, making it available for use around St. Louis. They then installed a parklet at Laclede and Vandeventer Avenues. Occupying what would otherwise be street parking spaces, the elevated platform features seating and greenery. The parklet's positioning shortens the distance needed to cross the street by 11 feet, making crossing easier for pedestrians. Trailnet also added striping to the intersection's crosswalk to improve its visibility. Additionally, the organization added bike and scooter parking nearby. Originally a temporary installation, Trailnet permanently installed a parklet at the intersection in 2020. The result is a safe resting place for cyclists and a community gathering place. Trailnet hopes the completed project will be a blueprint for intersection safety improvements throughout the region.