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Age-Friendly Chelsea (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
Older adults in Chelsea had few accessible spaces for social connection or healthy activities, leaving many isolated. The project transformed a schoolyard into an intergenerational garden with eight wheelchair-accessible raised beds, a convertible bench and a canopy. Residents and students planted, harvested and shared produce, which supplied the local food bank and monthly luncheons. Donations and repeat visits showed strong community engagement. Future plans include expanding raised beds and adding a permanent structure for year-round use.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Indianapolis, IN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Indianapolis' Far Eastside neighborhood needed accessible, public green space. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful partnered with the Community Alliance of the Far Eastside to transform a vacant lot into a community orchard with native shade trees, benches, accessible pathways, nature play space and public art. The orchard and green space, which are adjacent to a community center, also feature raised garden beds, fruit trees, native shrubs and more than 700 native perennial plants. Educational signage informs visitors about the benefits of playing in nature and the role of native plants.
Potomac, MD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Older adults volunteering in HarvestShares donation garden faced physical strain from bending and lifting. At the same time, many people, including those over age 50-plus, struggled with food insecurity. The project added elevated beds, lightweight hoses, cooling fans and trellises to make gardening safer and more accessible. These upgrades boosted productivity and helped volunteers work comfortably even in extreme heat, resulting in over 1,000 pounds of fresh produce for a local pantry. One volunteer in her late 70s said elevated beds and lighter hoses made it possible for her to keep gardening weekly.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Fremont, NE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: A local community garden lacked accessibility and security, limiting use by older adults and neighbors. To address this, the project added crushed asphalt walkways for safer footing, seating around raised beds and a full enclosure with trellised entryways. A camera was installed to deter theft, and a stolen watering system was replaced. These upgrades improved safety and usability, drawing praise from residents and setting the stage for expanded planting next season. Plans include doubling crop yield and hosting a spring cookout to boost volunteer engagement.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places
Description: Older adults in Central Maine face barriers to aging in place, from transportation to food insecurity, often hidden from public view. The project staged interactive performances based on real scenarios, inviting audiences to question actors and suggest solutions. Ideas like volunteer driver programs emerged, and feedback was shared with partners and media. "I learned how important community support is to the 50-plus community," one participant said, noting the emotional impact of seeing these struggles portrayed. Plans include training older adults to lead future performances, extending the dialogue.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Hallowell, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: An ADA-accessible ramp now spans the steep bank separating Granite City Park's parking lot from Hallowell's popular waterfront boardwalk and boat ramp. Vision Hallowell and the Hallowell All Age-Friendly Committee designed the 24-foot aluminum ramp to be installed seasonally, for use in the spring, summer and fall months. It joins several municipal ramps and docks that give residents access to the Kennebec River. While Hallowell has no town square, the waterfront fills this role. Thanks to the new ramp, older adults, those with mobility challenges and parents pushing baby strollers are now able to access the city's waterfront bulkhead, a center of activity featuring dozens of colorful Adirondack chairs.
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