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Tucson, AZ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: With brightly painted asphalt, street furniture and large urns hosting potted cacti and other native plants, Tucson's Living Streets Alliance transformed the intersection of 6th Avenue and 7th Street, an area known locally as Corbett Porch. For years, the intersection had been dangerous ground for pedestrians and cyclists. By using inexpensive materials -- such as paint, planters and pliable posts -- to narrow the roadway and create a new, street-adjacent public space, the porch became a street for people. Where only 1 in 4 drivers previously stopped at the intersection's stop signs, a survey found that more than 1 in 3 were obeying the law. Meanwhile, Tucsonans flocked to the public space. Until it was removed to make way for a permanent reconfiguration, the project proved to be such a popular place to see and be seen, it even got its own hashtag: CorbettPorch.

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.

Anchorage, AK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: The project will create temporary, protected bike lanes and hold group rides to introduce the community to this new infrastructure.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Oklahoma City, OK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public place improvements to withstand extreme weather events

Description: An Oklahoma County study showed many residents rely on public water systems that have been cited for health violations. Oklahoma City officials hoped green infrastructure could help resolve water quality issues for downstream communities. So the City converted two flowerbeds in a local park in to rain gardens -- also known as bioswales. During heavy rains, the swales collect stormwater runoff from a nearby parking lot and divert it back into the ground, rather than into the municipal sewer system. This helps remove pollutants before they reach the local watershed. Project organizers say they hope the pilot allows Oklahoma City to become a leader in green infrastructure. They have planned to add more bioswales throughout the community in the future.

Cole, OK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: To supplement American Rescue Plan Act funds being used to renovate a local park, the Town of Cole used grant funds to replace a dilapidated stage in the park, with a new accessible stage. The community looks forward to musicians returning to the stage for celebrations and events.

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