WAKE FOREST, NC – The Town of Wake Forest is the recipient of a Flagship Grant of $15,000 through the 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant program. The Community Challenge grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods, and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages, with an emphasis on those 50 and older.
In 2024, the Town was accepted into the AARP Age-Friendly Communities network. One year later, as a part of this initiative, Wake Forest was awarded two grants to conduct pedestrian and bike audits in 11 locations around town. Through these audits, officials identified opportunities to improve safety for pedestrians. The Town’s grant application and subsequent award is a result of the work done in these audits.
The $15,000 grant will be used to install crosswalks adjacent to South Main Street/US 1A at East Sycamore Avenue and East Holding
Avenue and ensure the ramps at those locations are ADA-compliant. The initiative will enhance safety and walkability for community members walking along South Main into downtown Wake Forest and to popular community facilities, such as the Wake Forest Community Library, US Post Office, Northern Regional Center, and Wake Forest Center for Active Aging, all of which are located along East Holding.
“The Town of Wake Forest extends its sincere thanks the AARP for its generous support,” said Wake Forest Mayor Ben Clapsaddle. “We are continuously exploring ways to improve our community and our residents’ quality of life. We are grateful for this opportunity to take meaningful strides towards making Wake Forest safer and more accessible for everyone.”
The AARP Community Challenge accepted applications across three grant opportunities, including flagship grants, capacity-building micro-grants for improving walkability, bike-ability and accessible home modifications and demonstration grants that focus on equitable engagement to reconnect communities, housing choice design competitions, and improving digital connections to endure disasters.
With funding support from Toyota Motor North America, the program is increasing its investment in pedestrian safety projects that will improve streets and sidewalks, create vibrant pedestrian infrastructure, engage community members and much more. AARP is also bolstering its investment in community resilience, rural communities and addressing disparities.
For more information, email Grants Program Manager Jack Cassidy at jcassidy@wakeforestnc.gov.