AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
See More Projects Like This One
Anchorage, AK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: In Anchorage's Fairview neighborhood, older adults faced hazardous winter walks as snow buried sidewalks and bus stops, forcing them into traffic. A pilot project organized five Snowfighters who cleared sidewalks after three major storms, installed snow markers and delivered flyers to 50 homes. Their work restored safe routes to nearby housing and transit stops, allowing older adults to walk without risking icy streets. Residents praised the effort for improving safety and community connection and plans are underway to expand the volunteer program to other blocks for lasting winter mobility solutions.
Jasonville, IN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Jasonville lacked safe sidewalks for older adults to walk and socialize, with no local gyms and uneven routes limiting activity. The Heritage Walkway project added ADA-compliant sidewalks, benches, signage and lighting around the downtown Heritage Block. Volunteers painted a colorful crosswalk leading to the community garden. The walkway now connects key destinations and offers a safe space for exercise and gathering. Residents praised the improvements during a community event, and plans include hosting farmers markets and seasonal activities to keep the area vibrant.
Sutton, WV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: The Town of Sutton is home to a popular community garden and vibrant farmers market, but the two were cut off from each other by a busy street. To help residents take advantage of both amenities, Sutton Community Development Corporation connected the spaces by adding a crosswalk. Volunteers painted the crossing's pavement with bright colors, making it more visible to passing drivers. They also planted flags along the path between the garden and market to guide people from one to the other. Additionally, the CDC improved gathering spaces at the garden and market. They added tables and seating to the garden space to allow people to gather there. To improve the market space, volunteers installed string lights and shade sails and cleaned up a state area at the market, which had been damaged in high winds.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Memphis, TN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: The City of Memphis hoped to encourage residents of the Crosstown neighborhood to walk. They replaced and repaired sidewalks at the Lewis Center, the local senior center. To encourage people to use a new urban walking trail, the City also installed signage directing people to the path. A designated rest stop along the trail includes benches and planters, giving walkers a place to stretch, rest and socialize. Future plans include upgrades to crosswalks at the neighborhood senior center, as well as accessibility improvements at other public facilities and outdoor spaces. The Lewis Center also hopes to convene walking groups, giving older adults the opportunity to exercise in a social setting.
Memphis, TN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: To help more South Memphis families access fresh food, Knowledge Quest made upgrades the hydroponic system at its Green Leaf Learning Farm, installing fifty new grow towners onsite. The infrastructure improvements allow the three-acre urban farm to produce more vegetables, which Knowledge Quest makes available to local lower-income families. Project organizers say the farm's increased capacity also allows them to offer more farming and nutrition education programming, which helps community members become more self-reliant. Today the farm is an agritourism destination, hosting school field trips related to beekeeping, vegetable growing, aquaponics, green building and more.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP Tennessee State Office
5000 Meridian Boulevard
Suite 180
Franklin, TN 37067
United States