Philadelphia, PA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: Asociacion Puertorriquenos en Marcha completed streetscaping along an important corridor of Germantown Avenue in North Philadelphia. Small-scale, low-cost -- but high-impact -- improvements began with street cleaning. Volunteers then worked to add elements to offset pedestrians from traffic and slow down passing vehicles. They installed decorative fences, signs at pedestrian crossings, flexible bollards, sidewalk art and temporary island installations. The project was part of a larger effort to revive what was once a vibrant, central commercial corridor and residents reacted positively. One said, It makes it look like people actually live here, like they do Another added, This makes it easier for children to know where they can safely cross. Organizers are seeking to make the island installations permanent. Additionally, the City committed to restriping the street and continue cleanup efforts, while community members plan to replicate beautification elements on nearby vacant lots.

Quarryville, PA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Public art installations

Description: The Borough of Quarryville set out to beautify a blank wall at a public park. To prepare the wall, Borough staff power washed it and scrubbed it down. A local business donated painting supplies. Then a local artist -- helped by volunteers from the community -- painted the mural, which depicts children interacting with nature. The mural's artist intended the artwork to act as a visual scavenger hunt, with a variety of animals, insects, birds and reptiles hidden in its imagery. The mural's success sparked other works of public art throughout town, including installations along the local rail trail.