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Age-Friendly Laramie (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
Older adults in Laramie lacked accessible spaces for gardening and social connection. Age-Friendly Laramie transformed unused property at the Eppson Center into a welcoming garden with raised beds, a wheelchair-accessible picnic table and a storage shed. Volunteers added a colorful mural and helped plant, water and harvest herbs and vegetables for meals at the center. The garden now offers fresh produce and a safe place to gather, with plans for pathways and expanded beds. One longtime resident said gardening again "brought back memories" and gave him a sense of purpose.
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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Milwaukee, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: A long-neglected lot will be transformed into an ADA-accessible community garden featuring paths, seating, lighting and food-growing space. The project will support healthy aging, food access and social connection.
Montclair, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Montclair Community Garden has long been used by community members as a central gathering place, despite a lack of older adult-friendly amenities. The Montclair Community Foundation installed three raised garden beds, specifically designed for people with mobility restrictions, those who cannot easily bend down and gardeners who use wheelchairs. Additionally, the foundation installed an ADA-compliant picnic table, an 18-by-27-foot shade structure and new LED lighting. These changes enable residents of all ages and abilities to enjoy the garden. Now that the improvements are complete, project organizers say they are piloting a health education program at the garden, which will welcome patients whose doctors have recommended they spend time outdoors.
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.
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Laramie, WY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Food insecurity is high in Laramie, with many residents lacking access to healthy, fresh produce. To increase food access, Action Resources International created a community garden. They considered the needs of older adults and people with mobility challenges when designing the space, adding accessible, raised garden beds onsite. The beds allow people in wheelchairs -- as well as those who find kneeling uncomfortable -- to tend to the plots. Project organizers hope the new garden provides learning opportunities for West Laramie residents and helps ease reliance on processed food.
Laramie, WY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Micromobility enhancements/management
Description: For many older adults in Wyoming, getting outdoors felt out of reach-until a new trishaw rolled into town. Miles of Smiles purchased an electric-assisted trishaw, trained volunteer pilots age 50-plus and began offering rides at local facilities. The experience quickly became a highlight, with passengers scheduling weeks ahead and volunteers calling it "extremely rewarding." One 96-year-old, non-verbal for months, exclaimed "Great fun!" after her first ride. The program is breaking isolation, sparking joy and proving that fresh air and human connection can transform lives.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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