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Yavapai County Community Health Services (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Bikeability
└ Bikeability
Older adults in Cottonwood and Clarkdale lacked safe bike routes, limiting mobility and access to parks and services. The project created the 17-mile Verde Connection Bike Route linking schools, retail areas and parks, added three bike repair stations and installed 161 wayfinding signs. The route offers a secure, scenic path for errands and recreation, fostering independence and social connection while strengthening local cycling clubs. It also sets the stage for future expansions. One participant said, "This project is more than just a route, its a meaningful investment in connectivity and active living."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Dallas, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Bikeability
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Huntsville, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Bikeability
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Providence, RI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: Older adults in Providence Housing Authority apartments faced isolation and limited transportation options, especially with looming transit cuts. To help, Recycle-A-Bike refurbished and distributed 65 bicycles with helmets, locks and repair kits. They also taught safety and repair skills during hands-on sessions. Older adults now have a reliable way to travel independently, and some visited the shop for follow-up maintenance. Videos captured riders pedaling for the first time, underscoring how the project boosted mobility and connection while sparking plans for continued bike distribution.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Cottonwood, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Residents in transitional housing faced food insecurity and limited access to fresh produce, a concern for older adults who rarely had the chance to grow their own food. After construction setbacks, the coalition shifted plans and installed container gardens on a back deck. Despite pests and record heat, participants harvested tomatoes and peppers and learned basic gardening skills. The project sparked interest in self-reliance and created moments of connection. One volunteer said that quiet mornings in the garden helped him open up about personal struggles, leading to mental health support and steps toward employment.
Yavapai County, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Bike Audits
Description: Older adults who rely on bikes faced unsafe conditions in Cottonwood and Clarkdale due to missing bike lanes and poor signage. To address this, volunteers conducted 12 audits over three months, counting 270 cyclists and identifying critical safety gaps, including the need for specialty markings and education on helmet use. The findings now guide city planning and advocacy for bike lanes and multi-use paths, prompting collaboration with local councils.
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