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Macon, GA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Before 24/7 television, air-conditioning and smartphones, sitting outside and talking over a game of chess or checkers was a popular pastime. To give residents of all ages in South Macon a place to gather, South Macon Art Revitalization Technology purchased outdoor checkerboard tables and two oversized Connect Four games. A crew of neighborhood residents serve as volunteer game instructors onsite. Chess, checkers and Connect Four are games that require critical thinking, patience and skill, SMART secretary Frankie Lewis said, noting that many older people in the neighborhood are accomplished chess and checkers players. We want to make sure their skills don't get lost due to the lack of activity, and we want the elders in our community to share their knowledge with people here of all ages, but especially our youth.

Wilmington, DE

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: This project added amenities including benches, shade trees and interpretive panels to a new but underused wetland park. Delaware Nature Society hired guides to lead nature walks and help visitors monitor water quality.

Christiansted, VI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: This project will develop plans for an accessible green space at Sunday Market Square. This project aims to foster resilience, food security, and healthy aging by creating a welcoming environment for older adults and families.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Albuquerque, NM

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: The Barelas Community Coalition hoped to create a welcoming, multigenerational gathering space to allow community members to eat, play, and learn together. The organization constructed a shade structure, added a bench, installed solar lighting and displayed signage at a public courtyard. The outdoor area is part of the Las Esquinita complex, an indoor commercial space that includes a small food hall and artisan market. It is also located next to a new food truck park, which the Coalition helps manage. Today, the space serves as a public art venue where resident can communicate their ideas, wants and feelings alongside an existing mural. Project organizers say the project helped secure long-term support for their activation efforts and allowed the community to rally around local revitalization activities.

Santa Fe, NM

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Bike Audits

Description: A series of bike audits will evaluate safety and accessibility at intersections and along city streets. The findings will help improve connections to multiuse trails, since many streets lack well-maintained, protected bike lanes.

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