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Alamo Colleges Foundation (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Park enhancements
└ Park enhancements
Palomino Park offers older adults living in San Antonio's South Side a no-cost space to exercise. To help residents stay fit, the Alamo Colleges Foundation created a fitness trail by installing 12 pieces of fitness equipment along the park's walking loop. To shield visitors from the sun and allow them to exercise in the summer heat, volunteers also added a shade structure. Today, the park hosts fitness activities, including yoga sessions, lessons on proper stretching techniques and nutrition training. To reach more people, the sessions are streamed online. Organizers hope the fitness trail improves community members' physical and mental health for years to come.
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See More Projects Like This One
Tucson, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: City officials set out to revitalize the underused Francisco Elias Esquer Park, located around the corner from a large public housing community for older adults in Tucson's Barrio Blue Moon neighborhood. To address the needs of locals with disabilities, volunteers installed a wheelchair accessible walking path, benches and a dog comfort station for service animals. They also added passive water harvesting basins to draw birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife. At a planting party for community members -- one of several events to publicize the new amenities -- neighbors spent a day digging in the dirt and enjoying a renewed sense of community.
Salmon, ID
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: The city will improve safety and accessibility by resurfacing worn-out pickleball courts with new concrete or asphalt. The courts are particularly popular with older adults residents.
Yuma, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Part of larger efforts to foster ecotourism and give residents a free, outdoor public gathering space, this project created seating for a new nature park in Yuma's wetlands. Sunset View Nature Park sits along the waterfront and connects to five miles of biking and walking trails. Volunteers constructed ADA-accessible picnic tables, metal and concrete benches and bike racks for the site. Organizers say older adults are frequent visitors to Yuma's wetland area, which offers bird watching and other recreation opportunities. Since adding the amenities, Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area has continued work on the nature park, extending trails and constructing a scenic overlook.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
San Antonio, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: San Antonio needed affordable housing options for older adults, but residents lacked awareness of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Citymakery launched an outreach campaign with an informational video and a design competition, drawing 275 submissions and engaging families and students. The effort expanded through social media and libraries, sparking citywide interest and informing plans for permit-ready ADU designs. "The design process let me reflect on caring for my grandfather," said one winner, showing how the initiative connected housing solutions to real family needs.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
San Antonio, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Older adults needed better access to fresh food, active learning and social connection. Gardopia launched a community garden at the Senior Center, engaging 43 participants in hands-on installation, offering eight classes, wellness activities and installing raised beds with irrigation. Two participants completed an intensive master class to lead peers as the garden matures. A field visit to the microfarm boosted confidence and connection, and the garden will reach full productivity in Spring 2026 to support ongoing food access and active aging.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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