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Arthurdale Heritage (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
On Arthurdale's historic 23-acre campus, uneven sidewalks and a lack of outdoor amenities made visits difficult for older adults and others seeking safe, accessible spaces. The project replaced a hazardous 75-foot sidewalk and added benches, trash bins, a dog waste station and a bike rack. New landscaping to beautify the grounds was also created. These improvements have made the site safer and more inviting, encouraging residents to use it for recreation and events. Community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and plans are underway for expanded sidewalks and new programs for older adults.
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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Pawtucket, RI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To enable older adults to exercise, socialize and enjoy nature, Pawtucket's Division of Senior Services created an outdoor activity center at Leon Mathieu Senior Center. They installed seating, planters and two large outdoor tabletop game stations. Project organizers also created an age-friendly playground for low-impact exercise, adding fitness and recreational equipment. The Senior Center provides services and programs for adults 55 and older and aims to encourage healthy aging and keep older residents connected to the community.
Camden, SC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Camden's Main Street program transformed the city's Broad Street alley into a vibrant throughway for shoppers and diners. To involve community members in the makeover, the City invited residents to the space to create stained glass-like globes out of tissue paper. By hanging the completed art pieces and adding LED string lights and shade canopies, the City created a decorative, open ceiling to the alley. They later added benches and planters to create an outdoor gathering space. "It's wonderful to see the residents who created pieces strolling through the alley and pointing out to friends and family where their piece is located," Camden Main Street Program Manager Katherine Spadacenta said.
Belmond, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The project will convert a narrow Main Street lot into an accessible pocket park with seating and shade. The space will offer a place to rest, gather and enjoy downtown events.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Reedsville, WV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: The town park lacked drinking water, forcing older adults and rail-trail users to bring their own or leave. The grant funded an ADA-compliant fountain with a bottle filler and pet station, installed on a new concrete pad near restrooms. A ribbon-cutting event celebrated the upgrade, which now offers a reliable water source for walkers, bikers and families. Two older cyclists rode 16 miles to the ceremony and filled their bottles at the new station, underscoring its value for active residents and making the park more welcoming for all.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Kingwood, WV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Although this project originally set out to expand social activities at Decker's Creek Park, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced organizers to pivot. Instead, the Preston County Parks and Recreation Commission made improvements to the park's green space to increase walkability and accessibility for park visitors. They added an accessible picnic table, raised garden beds, trash cans, an information kiosk and a wooden sign for the park. They also planted the garden beds with pollinator-friendly perennials, with plans to invite the local Master Gardeners to use the plots in the future. In addition, the Parks and Recreation Commission painted and replaced boards on the park's pedestrian bridge. Since these upgrades, the Commission reports more visitors to the park, as well as an uptick in youth volunteer service. Recent projects include a new picnic table, outdoor classroom, little free library and bench.
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