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Wayne, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Wayne is a small town however, its population triples during the summer tourist season. The inflow of tourists brings with it more cars on the road, often traveling at faster speeds. To make the village's main street safer for both pedestrians and motorists, Aging at Home Wayne installed a crossing signal system. The signal system consists of a pedestrian crossing sign consisting of flashing beacons on both sides of the crosswalk. Pedestrians can now alert drivers when they're about to cross by pushing a button, which activates the lights.
Anchorage, AK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: In Anchorage's Fairview neighborhood, older adults faced hazardous winter walks as snow buried sidewalks and bus stops, forcing them into traffic. A pilot project organized five Snowfighters who cleared sidewalks after three major storms, installed snow markers and delivered flyers to 50 homes. Their work restored safe routes to nearby housing and transit stops, allowing older adults to walk without risking icy streets. Residents praised the effort for improving safety and community connection and plans are underway to expand the volunteer program to other blocks for lasting winter mobility solutions.
Pensacola, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: The Gonzalez Street Shareway in Pensacola is a wide, busy road dominated by cars. To demonstrate how the thoroughfare could accommodate both vehicles and pedestrians, Bike Pensacola conducted a one-day demonstration of traffic calming features. Bike Pensacola fabricated traffic circles and temporarily narrowed the roadway from four to two lanes. To test out the traffic control measures, about 300 bicyclists participated in a slow ride along the Shareway, cycling between three Pensacola parks. Additionally, Bike Pensacola partnered with local businesses and organizations to bring a local art market to the shareway including a sidewalk book sale, food trucks, self-guided walking tours and a scavenger hunt.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Englewood, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: After a local ordinance update to allow murals in Englewood, the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation set out to create public art celebrating Black women's history. The Foundation commissioned an artist to create the Black Women's Mural Project's first installation, which celebrates the work of Black suffragists who fought to expand voting rights to women. Two community engagements coincided with the mural's installation, where community members could watch the artist work. Participants learned more about the artists' vision and the history informing the subject matter. Organizers invited residents to share their feedback and personal stories. Additionally, the Foundation provided information on registering to vote, as well as polling locations and hours. To celebrate the new artwork, they also produced a documentary about the mural.
Hackensack, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public place improvements to withstand extreme weather events
Description: Flooding repeatedly damaged homes in Hackensack's low-lying neighborhoods, where many older adults lacked resources for protection. To spark action, the foundation launched "Barrels o' Art," a public display of 11 artist-painted rain barrels in a local park and distributed 21 barrels to residents. The project raised awareness of green infrastructure and environmental preservation, strengthened community trust and inspired future art-based initiatives to promote flood prevention.
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