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Sheboygan, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Improved wayfinding

Description: The City of Sheboygan augmented its downtown historical walking tour by creating a mobile app to teach residents and tourists about the city's heritage. The app was based on StriveOn, a platform designed to tell stories about local places. Additionally, the City installed signs and created printed paper maps for people who don't use smartphones or computers. The effort involved local businesses -- and their unique buildings -- in the tour. Project organizers hope the walking tour gets people interested in historical preservation and increases opportunities for physical activity.

Carlin, NV

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Improved wayfinding

Description: Carlin -- one of the oldest communities in Elko County -- has suffered economically with the decline of the Southern Pacific Railroad. To preserve its history and attract tourists to town, the Carlin Historical Society installed wayfinding signs promoting its local history museum. The signs sit on two streets in the center of town, as well as at an offramp from Interstate 80. Installation of the signs comes after years of investment into the museum building itself, including repairs to bring the structure up to code and installation of two new museum exhibits.

Kokomo, IN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Improved wayfinding

Description: To encourage residents to be more physically active, the YMCA in Kokomo raised their awareness of county trails, parks and other recreational amenities. The YMCA created signs for the city's trolley stops and for its Walk of Excellence Trail. The signs communicate the distance, direction and walking time to local attractions, including parks, the Kokomo Municipal Stadium and the Kokomo Beach Family Aquatic Center. They also provide information about accessibility for people with disabilities. The project gave the YMCA an opportunity to partner with local stakeholders, such as the city's parks and recreation department and the Indiana University Design Center. Since this effort, the city of Kokomo has continued to promote biking. In 2018, the city launched a free bikesharing program that provides adults and children with bikes, as well as helmets and locks.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Greendale, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Transportation Other

Description: Two flashing pedestrian crossings and a high‑contrast crosswalk will be added along busy routes to parks and downtown. These upgrades improve visibility, slow traffic and enhance safety for residents of all ages, especially those age 50-plus.

Milwaukee, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: Jackson Park Community Association focused on unsafe streets surrounding a major neighborhood park where fast traffic and unclear crossings made walking stressful for residents, including older adults. Through a series of walk audits, residents, volunteers and local officials documented specific hazards and discussed solutions at key intersections. Findings were shared through community meetings and presentations to city leaders, grounding the conversation in lived experience. Volunteer feedback highlighted anxiety at crossings and concerns about speeding vehicles. The work helped inform reconstruction discussions and contributed to funding being allocated for future intersection improvements that support safer park access.

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

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