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Lake Placid, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: This project installed a 10-station fitness trail exercise system in the MLK Sports Field in Highway Park -- the only such amenity in Highlands County. Meant to help residents improve their physical health through stretching, flexing and balancing, the trail also acts as a destination for residents and seasonal visitors to socialize. For years the Highway Park Preservation and Enhancement District requested amenities to enhance the park without much success. But securing funding for the fitness trail spurred the County to invest in Highland Park, including adding drinking fountains, repainting fencing, cleaning up graffiti and resurfacing the softball diamond. In addition, two successful crowdfunding campaigns allowed for installation of restrooms and a new sunshade for the park's playground.

New Milford, CT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: To create social opportunities for people of all ages, the Town of New Milford added benches and game top tables along the walkway to the Young's Field Park. Town employees installed the tables, which can host chess and checkers games. Project organizers say they hope the tables encourage intergenerational activities in the riverfront park. Today, teens from a New Milford High School after-school club use the table for regular games with players from the New Milford Senior Center.

McAlester, OK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: Local pickleball enthusiasts helped convert a tennis court at William P. Mullen Park into two pickleball courts. Pickleball, which includes elements of tennis and ping-pong, is popular with older adult players.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Erath, LA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Bikeability

Description: COVID-19 pandemic restrictions led to an increase in pedestrian and bicycle activity in Erath, as people sought out safe ways to get around and spend time outdoors. And many residents of the small town do not own cars. For local leaders, the increase in biking and walking represented an opportunity to effect long-term change. Since Erath only had one bike rack, the Town purchased and installed new racks in 16 locations around town to encourage locals to bike to the local park and businesses. Volunteers helped design the racks and coordinate the best places to install them.

St. Mary, LA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: This project will create an accessible outdoor activity, gathering, and gardening space at the senior center. It will encourage tribal elders to connect with nature and provide volunteer opportunities for community members.

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