Newark, NJ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Trails

Description: Older adults in Newark often navigate streets and transportation systems that were not designed with aging in mind, especially those without cars who rely on walking or bicycling for everyday needs. Their lived experience is frequently missing from planning discussions, even as safety and independence become more fragile with age. New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition addressed this gap by creating welcoming spaces where older adults could learn about mobility options and speak directly about what works and what does not. A Senior Mobility Fair drew hundreds of older adults to try mobility tools, connect with resources and share stories about moving through the city. The project also partnered older adults with youth to record interviews, videos and portraits, including perspectives from residents with visual impairments. City leaders attended and heard these accounts firsthand, helping ground future mobility conversations in real experiences.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Webb City, MO

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Trails

Description: Erosion on the Frisco Trail left a section unsafe for older adults and wheelchair users near Redwood Estates. The coalition built a cement sidewalk, installed signage and celebrated with a ribbon-cutting. The improvement restored safe access and improved driver awareness, making the trail usable for residents with mobility challenges. One resident said that with the new improvements "drivers...are slowing down and more aware of the walkers."

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Kerrville, TX

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Trails

Description: Older adults needed shaded resting areas along Kerrville's River Trail to make walking and exercise more accessible. The city installed benches at key locations and added a shade structure over the fitness court, creating comfortable spaces for rest and socialization. These improvements encouraged community interaction, fostering long-term health benefits and inclusivity. "The addition of benches and the shade structure has truly transformed my outdoor experience," said one resident, noting the park is now a hub for exercise and social connections.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.