AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
360 Albany (2025) Print
2025 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
360 Albany set out to improve access to fresh food, outdoor activity and digital skills for older adults who lacked inclusive garden spaces and support using technology. The team installed raised beds, added ADA-compliant seating and hosted gardening workshops that taught older adults how to grow produce and stay active. Digital literacy sessions helped participants learn how to navigate health portals, manage online tasks and connect with family. One participant said the garden changed her days completely after planting for the first time in years and learning to video chat with her granddaughter. The improvements strengthened social ties, increased food access and created lasting opportunities for older adults to garden, learn and stay connected.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Union, SC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Low-income older adults in Union County faced food insecurity and limited access to fresh produce, especially those who were homebound or had disabilities. To address this, the organization distributed more than 400 bags of fresh produce and installed accessible raised garden beds and ADA-compliant garden boxes. The project also launched a community garden and partnered with local groups to expand outreach. Residents expressed appreciation, saying "this is such a blessing," and "the new garden gives me a place to go." Plans are underway to add gardens in all four municipalities to sustain and grow the effort.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Ho'olehua, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: A fenced community garden area with raised beds and irrigation will be built for older residents. Accessible gardening will support food access, activity and shared growing spaces.
Newport News, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: A community garden at a popular community center will be enhanced by adding accessible pathways, raised beds, seating and gathering space. These improvements will support gardening and social connection for residents age 50-plus.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Albany, GA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: Walk With Me Albany will organize walk audits in priority neighborhoods to observe walking conditions for residents age 50 or older. The audits will identify safety barriers and inform next steps that help improve sidewalk access and walking comfort.
Albany, GA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Many communities in Lee County lacked accessibility features and infrastructure to bring residents together. To address this, the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission installed recreational equipment, outdoor art and other amenities in several municipalities. In Albany, the Commission commissioned a large sculpture of a turtle to compliment the town's other public art installations. In Leesburg, it installed park benches and message boards in the community's nature park, which joined outdoor games and cedar benches purchased by the local housing authority. And in Thomasville, the Commission created a pop-up porch, which extends useable sidewalk space into on-street parking spaces. The portable porch can be transported, reconfigured and installed in different locations, allowing residents to gather for conversation and events. The popularity of the parklet inspired a local arts organization to install their own portable porches for its annual art exhibition.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP Georgia State Office
999 Peachtree Street NE
Suite 1110
Atlanta, GA 30309
United States