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United Way of Douglas County (2020) Print
2020 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Public or private transit access
└ Public or private transit access
Many of Lawrence's bus stops lacked shelters or seating for waiting riders. As a temporary fix, people left lawn chairs, folding chairs and benches at the bus stops, which locals nicknamed shame benches. The United Way of Douglas County stepped in to install amenities at 15 bus stops, particularly in lower income areas with high ridership. Local youth created art to decorate five existing stops, with students at a local technical school constructing custom-built shelters for another five. Project organizers hope the upgrades make the transit system more accessible to older people, people with disabilities and anyone who can't easily stand on a curb.
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Willmar, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: This project distributed transit tokens to older adults and people with disabilities in residential facilities. Childcare providers received transit passes allowing them to take children in their care to such facilities, promoting intergenerational contact. Additionally, Mid-Minnesota Development Commission purchased two electric trishaws to expand micro-mobility options at residential care facilities.
Casper, WY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: The Casper Area Transportation Coalition, the former transit provider for the region, aimed to provide better and safer service to bus riders traveling to and from the Hilltop Center. The bus stop serving those riders -- one of the most heavily-used in Casper -- consisted of nothing but an unprotected bench. To solve this, the Coalition erected a five-foot-by-10-foot shelter at the stop. The project also added a second bench to accommodate more riders. To cover unexpected costs, the coalition obtained a second grant from another organization to take the project over the finish line. In 2021, the City of Casper took over operation of the local bus service.
Cedar City, UT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: To help people navigate downtown Cedar City without a car, this project installed bus shelters, benches and bike racks. Additionally, project organizers added picnic tables at the site of a local farmers market.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Lawrence, KS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project will enlarge a community garden next to an affordable housing community. Four raised beds will ensure accessibility for residents with disabilities, as well as for older volunteers. Excess produce will be donated to local food banks.
Gardner, KS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To generate community support for a planned greenspace in Gardiner, the City created a parklet. Organizers hoped the temporary installation -- created in the footprint of two on-street parking spaces -- would help residents envision the value of outdoor space improvements coming soon to city hall. The pop-up space consists of benches, a table, planters and shade canopies. The parklet's portable, modular design makes the space reconfigurable, allowing the City to set it up different locations -- even after implementation of its long-term park project.
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