St. Louis, MO

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: In St. Louis, bus stops often lacked safety and accessibility, limiting mobility for older adults and residents without cars. To address this, Citizens for Modern Transit transformed a neglected stop in Soulard, where many residents are age 50-plus, into a welcoming space. The redesign added a shelter with solar lighting, benches with armrests, ADA-compliant walkways, landscaping and wayfinding. In addition, new sidewalks and ramps were added to improve access. The project boosted safety and visibility, fostered community ownership and set the stage for similar upgrades citywide. One resident said, "Adding community space where people can meet and talk comfortably will be so great."

La Union, NM

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: Although La Union's community center campus offered plenty of outdoor space, the space sat largely unused. So La Union Helping Hands set out to activate the area. Volunteers installed a benches and a gazebo for shade onsite. They also added seating and shelter to the nearby bus stop. This allows visitors -- including older adults -- to wait comfortably for the bus. Organizers hope the enhancements foster a vibrant space where residents can connect with each other, instilling a sense of community. Spurred by the project's success, La Union Helping Hands now plans to revamp landscaping, plant a community garden, install even more seating, and improve sidewalks at the community center.

Hamtramck, MI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: The City of Hamtramck wanted to create more equitable access to local public transit and pedestrian and bicycling routes. To allow older adults to access more transportation options, the City added benches along key transit, pedestrian and bicycling routes. To reach non-English speaking residents, they published informational brochures in Arabic, Bengali and English. Additionally, project organizers worked with the Detroit Institute of the Arts to install artwork near several benches. The project is part of larger plans for the Joe Louis Greenway, a 27-mile walking and biking trail that will extend from the Detroit riverfront to Hamtramck and other nearby communities.