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Active Aging Resource Center (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
This project will improve lighting and outdoor seating at a resource center for older adults. The lighting will increase safety and the center will also add a table, bench and chairs to encourage visitors to socialize.
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Wetumpka, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Until Main Street Wetumpka saw the opportunity to create an outdoor community space, the dim alley connecting Company and Hill Streets in downtown Wetumpka served largely as a place to park cars. The local nonprofit worked to transform the alley into a sustainable, wheelchair accessible outdoor gathering space featuring greenery, moveable furniture and a live performance space. After a devastating tornado in early 2019, the Alleyway Project had to take a pause. But the project got back on track, with Main Street Wetumpka completing its work before other damage in the area was restored. Because of this, the alley activation became an inspiration for a wounded town. Now it's a lively spot for weekly events and a place for local workers to eat lunch outside. A project organizer said she hopes the alley's mural featuring historic Wetumpka figures helps connect young residents to their history inspires them to reach for the stars.
San Diego, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project helped transform a vacant lot in San Diego's City Heights neighborhood into a vibrant gathering space for residents of all ages. To encourage community members of the dense, diverse neighborhood to connect with each other, the Community Development Corporation installed art at the new public space. Since this activation, the space continues to provide a spot for artists to display their work. Project organizers say although the installation was intended to be temporary, it reinforced the value of creating similar community spaces in the future.
Kaneohe, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The Rotary Club engaged contractors and volunteers to clean up a 35,000-square-foot gravel lot on Aloha Drive that had become an eyesore. Volunteers worked with landscape architects to plant hundreds of shrubs and thousands of smaller plants throughout the lot, creating a pocket park. Leveraging a range of funding resources, organizers transformed the space into a community oasis they have dubbed Centennial Park.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Kansas City, MO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Kansas City's Oak Street was long plagued by high-speed car crashes. This month-long demonstration project put a two-block stretch of Oak Street on a road diet, with a mobility lane replacing one lane of traffic. Cars parked along the street -- as well as new planters -- protect bicyclists, scooter users, skateboarders, rollerbladers and joggers from traffic. The changes maintained all preexisting on-street parking. In fact, the project added two parking spots while also adding parking for 12 bicycles, 25 scooters and a few motorcycles. During the demonstration, vehicle speeds were 10 to 15 miles per hour slower than before. Since the project, the City has invested in parking hubs for bikes and scooters.
Kansas City, MO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public safety interventions
Description: As part of community placemaking efforts, the Blue Hills Neighborhood Association installed solar pathway lights to Blue Hills-Kissick Park. The pocket park -- created by activating a vacant lot -- is a new addition to midtown Kansas City. Intended to increase safety, the lights allow residents to visit the park after dark. Organizers say the new green space serves as a pilot project, demonstrating how repurposing vacant lots can beautify a neighborhood, cut down on illegal dumping and reduce crime. The Association reports the project also helped them educate residents about the benefits of solar lighting, which include reduced electric bills.
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