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Imperial, NE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: A vacant lot in the heart of Imperial's downtown had been an eyesore for decades. To put the space to better use, the City of Imperial activated the space, creating a new pocket park. Volunteers helped create several murals onsite and installed a mosaic dragon sculpture, designed to double as a play structure for children. Using upcycled existing picnic tables and railroad ties, they also created a circular seating area, dubbed the chatroom. Local elementary school students and residents of an assisted living facility teamed up to paint tiles to decorate outdoor sectional couch. And volunteers laid down artificial turf -- a material chosen to make the mini-park easy to maintain. Raised flower beds completed the space. Since the mini-park's completion, organizers say community members continue to brainstorm ways to improve the pocket park, which they say has revitalized Imperial's arts scene.
Wailuku, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project will transform a public space into an accessible gathering area with chairs and tables for people of all ages and abilities.
Richford, VT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project will support efforts to create a welcome center at a downtown outdoor space. The new space will feature seating, raised garden beds and a community food pantry, which will offer residents free produce grown onsite.
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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