Grand Island, Nebraska Print

Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
12/4/2018

Lead Agency: Grow Grand Island, Inc.

Non-profit

Action Plan Download

An action plan is based on the results of community surveys identifying needs within the 8 Domains of Livability that influence the health and quality of life of older adults. While there is flexibility in how a plan is created and what it will do, every action plan includes a statement about what can be achieved, target dates for goal completion, identification of participating organizations and indicators to measure progress. The action plan is an "active" rather than static document. Revisions and amendments are a sign of program improvement and progress.

Action Plan Highlights

  1. Housing

    Facilitate housing improvements for older adults by creating a Housing Improvement Partnership that brings in diverse stakeholders and community organizations.

  2. Transportation

    Identify potential transportation safety issues with neighborhood groups using AARP's Walk Audit Toolkit.

  3. Outdoor Spaces

    Focus on increasing access to parks for older adults by conducting a survey of key neighborhood parks to identify potential infrastructure improvements, and use social media to educate residents and visitors about age-friendly park features like hiking trails, bike trails and bikeshare programs.

Progress Report Download

Grand Island's progress report focuses on the community's efforts to improve outdoor spaces, provide safe, affordable housing options and increase transportation access. Grow Grand Island -- which leads local age-friendly work -- surveyed residents about possible improvements at two popular local parks. They also transformed vacant space downtown into a public plaza and are exploring other outdoor spaces to activate. To help older adults age in place and keep neighborhoods maintained, Grand Island created home rehabilitation assistance programs. Spurred by new legislation allowing communities to set up land banks, Grand Island is exploring how land banks can be a tool for affordable housing development. Additionally, they worked with partners to launch a tourism campaign for Grand Island, which highlights to area's multiuse trails, bike share options and outdoor activities.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Grow Grand Island (2019)

Grand Island, NE

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Improved wayfinding

Description: Grow Grand Island installed four sculptural, eight-foot-tall wayfinding totems in Railside, an area in the City's downtown. Designed to help visitors learn about Railside and Grand Island's history and art, the totems feature maps and short descriptions in English and Spanish. Each totem is customized based on its location. In addition, the totems include a QR code linking to historical information about the buildings downtown. This online content can be updated when needed. Project organizers say the totems spurred needed repairs for downtown sidewalks and helped garner funding for more wayfinding signs. As downtown grows, organizers say the totems will play an important role in helping pedestrians navigate and appreciate Grand Island.

Grow Grand Island (2022)

Grand Island, NE

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Engaging residents alongside thought leaders in problem solving

Description: To increase community connections, this project produced resource packets containing the book The Art of Neighboring and information about a neighborhood meet-and-greet. Grow Grand Island then distributed the packets to participants in a new local leadership forum.

ABOUT THE AARP COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Launched in 2017, the annual AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to local governments and nonprofits in order to fund quick-action, ready-to-implement projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.

See all nearby projects

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AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP Nebraska State Office

301 S. 13th Street
Suite 201
Lincoln, NE 68508
United States

Phone: 866-389-5651
Fax: 402-323-6913
Email: [email protected]