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Andrew College (2019) Print
2019 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
Andrew College activated an empty space in downtown Cuthbert into a practical, attractive gathering space, which they dubbed Magnolia Alley. Two murals by Andrew College artists already decorated the alley, since the college hosts events in the adjoining square. To make the space more useable for famers markets, art receptions and other gatherings, volunteers added benches, lighting and a hardwood pergola to provide shade.
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Grand Forks, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project will revitalize Smiley Park and Skidmore Park in the Near North Neighborhood. Improvements include raised garden beds, a little free library, historical signage, and safer sidewalk access.
Sisseton, SD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To encourage residents to walk and increase the vibrancy of Sisseton's downtown, The Sisseton Arts Council created a new community gathering spot, which they dubbed the Midway Green Space. The site features a sculpture of a reflective, eight-point star, designed to represent the area's native Dakota and Scandinavian immigrant heritage. To make the Green Space inviting to visitors, volunteers installed granite benches and seeded native grasses. Since these improvements, project organizers secured funding for a second sculpture for the site, created by a local Native artist.
Willcox, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Despite years of neglect, the Heritage Courtyard represents a beloved and beautiful part of Willcox's downtown. To make the space more welcoming to residents of all ages, Willcox Theater and Arts -- whose building is adjacent to the courtyard -- installed benches, bulletin boards and planters. Additionally, a local craftsman constructed a new gateway for the space, which is coated in copper to pay homage to Arizona's mining history. The courtyard contributes to downtown walkability and is first project in the town's Downtown Revitalization Plan, paving the way for future community improvements. The City plans to use the park for special events, exhibits and storytelling activities.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Eufaula, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project will create a community garden equipped with at least five raised beds for growing flowers and vegetables, as well as three accessible benches. All the food grown there will be provided to local low-income families.
Albany, GA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Many communities in Lee County lacked accessibility features and infrastructure to bring residents together. To address this, the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission installed recreational equipment, outdoor art and other amenities in several municipalities. In Albany, the Commission commissioned a large sculpture of a turtle to compliment the town's other public art installations. In Leesburg, it installed park benches and message boards in the community's nature park, which joined outdoor games and cedar benches purchased by the local housing authority. And in Thomasville, the Commission created a pop-up porch, which extends useable sidewalk space into on-street parking spaces. The portable porch can be transported, reconfigured and installed in different locations, allowing residents to gather for conversation and events. The popularity of the parklet inspired a local arts organization to install their own portable porches for its annual art exhibition.
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