Morris Plains Secures AARP Grant for Pedestrian Safety Enhancements

MORRIS PLAINS, NJ - June 28, 2023 - AARP New Jersey has officially awarded a 2023 Community Challenge grant to the Borough of Morris Plains as part of an ambitious initiative to foster more livable communities across the country. With this grant, the Borough is set to install a crosswalk enhancing safety and accessibility for all residents, with a special focus on the elderly and mobility-challenged individuals.

"We are proud to collaborate with this year's grantees as they make immediate improvements in their communities to jumpstart long-term change, especially for New Jerseyans 50 and over," said Stephanie Hunsinger, AARP New Jersey State Director.

In response to concerns raised by wheelchair-bound and older residents about the difficulty of crossing the intersection at Mountain Way and Franklin Place, the Borough will install a new crosswalk. This project is expected to improve access to local amenities like the Morris Plains Public Library and the scenic Roberts Garden.

"Receiving this grant will certainly improve pedestrian and bicycle safety in our borough to a very active park and garden into the future," stated Jason C. Karr, Mayor of Morris Plains Borough. "It will also improve the accessibility to and from downtown. Thank you, AARP."

This year, AARP awarded $3.6 million to 310 organizations nationwide, marking the largest group of grantees to date. Funded projects, spread across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, must be completed by November 30, 2023.

AARP's 2023 Community Challenge also unveiled new grant opportunities focusing on improving walkability, creating community gardens, enhancing transportation systems, and launching housing choice design competitions. The grant program aligns with AARP's Livable Communities initiative, which champions the transformation of cities, towns, neighborhoods, and rural areas into vibrant spaces for all ages.

The Following is a Snapshot of New Jersey Grantees:

New Jersey

• Glen Rock: Borough of Glen Rock
  The Borough will conduct three walk audits throughout the downtown area to determine locations for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements. Capacity-Building Microgrant

• Hackensack: Northern New Jersey Community Foundation
  This project will provide dozens of rain barrels and community education to help address future flooding. The rain barrels will be painted to serve as functional public art.

• Montclair: Montclair Gateway to Aging in Place
  The grant will fund a design competition that will provide homeowners with plans for building accessory dwelling units and documentation for obtaining planning board approval. Demonstration Grant

• Morris Plains: Borough of Morris Plains
  The borough will install a crosswalk with transitional curbs, crossing signs, and detectable warning surfaces for older users.

• Newark: The Trust for Public Land
  The project will install fencing around garden beds and provide supplies for older residents who will take over summer maintenance of a pilot garden project at a local elementary school.

• Newark: Unstoppable Girls Foundation
  This intergenerational gardening project will provide girls aged 8 to 18 with an opportunity to pair up with elderly residents to garden together and grow produce in an area that is considered a food desert. Capacity-Building Microgrant

• Toms River: Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey
  This project will expand a volunteer medical transportation program that aims to serve residents aged 60-plus and enable them to continue to live independently. Demonstration Grant

• Woodbury: The FAF
  The grant will support LOT 323, a creative placemaking pop-up park that features music, arts and crafts events, and connects with residents age 50-plus by partnering with senior housing and senior centers, as well as assisted living facilities.

To see a full list of grantees and their project descriptions, visit aarp.org/communitychallenge. For more about AARP's livable communities work, visit aarp.org/livable.

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