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Stanton, TN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: With local growth on the horizon, Stanton residents questioned whether it is safe to walk between key destinations. United Way of West Tennessee led two walk audits connecting the Ford Community Center, Town Hall and nearby businesses. Participants, many over age 50-plus, identifying missing sidewalks, limited crosswalks and streets that feel too fast. For many, it was the first chance to share detailed input on pedestrian safety. The findings are being presented to town leadership and partners, creating resident-driven priorities for sidewalks, crossings and traffic calming to guide future decisions.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Newark, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: A community walk audit will assess pedestrian safety near downtown Newark streets and park areas. Resident input will guide discussions on accessibility and street safety improvements.
New York, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: Along a major Open Street in Queens, older adults rely on the corridor for daily walks yet report confusion and safety concerns tied to inconsistent signs, fast bikes and uneven pavement. Selfhelp Community Services organized five walk audits with older adult volunteers from nearby co-ops, documenting issues such as limited seating, neglected plantings and blocks needing street and sidewalk repair. A long-time resident who was previously hit by a car joined all five walks, excited to make a difference in the community. Findings were delivered to transportation officials and elected leaders as redesign and budgeting decisions advance.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Peoria, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Organizers with Phoenix Community Development Services know supportive housing facilities for unhoused Peoria residents are often drab. To address this, the nonprofit -- which develops transitional apartment complexes -- created a three-story mural in an alley between an existing building and an upcoming facility. Apartment residents provided input on the mural's design and helped install the artwork, which is visible from one of downtown Peoria's major thoroughfares.
Springfield, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: A new online order system and optional curbside pickup at Springfield's Old Capitol Farmers Market reduced shoppers' risk of COVID-19 exposure. The improvements ensured that older adults and SNAP users could access fresh and healthy food from the popular market. Downtown Springfield Inc. replaced SNAP tokens with Healthy Ways scannable cards, which limit the need for physical contact at checkout. Following the change, the market saw an increase in SNAP transactions. In addition, more than 150 community members took advantage of the curbside option, which reduced in-person foot traffic and provided a safe shopping alternative to those most at risk.
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