Durham, NC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Pedestrian Safety

Description: Bike Durham addressed a longstanding safety challenge on a downtown corridor where older adults and other residents faced fast traffic and limited protection while walking or biking. The Move-A-Bull City Open Streets event closed the route to cars and showed people what safer design looks like, including protected intersections and shorter crossings. Seven themed zones offered wellness activities, demonstrations and places to safely try new ways of moving through the city. The event prompted stronger support for traffic calming and protected lanes and helped residents imagine permanent improvements. Many left wanting more frequent Open Streets days, showing how powerful the experience felt.

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

Charleston, MO

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Pedestrian Safety

Description: Older adults walking along Main Street lacked basic pedestrian safety features, making it harder to reach banks, pharmacies and public offices. Charleston Revitalization Movement added high-visibility crosswalks as well as flashing signs to warn pedestrians and cars. They also added wayfinding signage in a heavy foot traffic area that previously had no crosswalks. Community volunteers helped paint the crosswalks, creating visible routes where none existed. One resident said the project was bringing the community together and made the town feel more welcoming. The improvements increased confidence for older adults who walk downtown and set up a community-supported plan to refresh safety features over time.

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

Marlette, MI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Pedestrian Safety

Description: The Heartlands addressed pedestrian safety concerns inside its local living community for older adults, where residents regularly walk through a busy internal intersection with limited visibility and unclear wayfinding. Long identified as a need, the project added a highly visible three dimensional crosswalk and new directional signage to slow traffic and help residents and visitors navigate the campus more safely. Volunteers and staff also completed landscaping and tree planting to improve comfort and visibility along walking routes. The changes created clearer paths and greater peace of mind for residents who spend time outdoors, and reinforced existing efforts to encourage walking and daily activity. One volunteer noted how the new crosswalk created a safe, clearly marked path that made residents feel more confident being active outside.

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