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Avoca Public Library (2018) Print
2018 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
Avoca's Main Street already had green space and places to sit, but Avoca Public Library organizers wanted to give residents a reason to spend time downtown. To invite people in, they installed oversized, weather-proof musical instruments outside the library. Since the instruments don't require any training or talent to play, they are popular with residents of all ages. Part of the town's creative placemaking plans, the new music park is located near the site of Avoca's weekly summer farmer's market. It's a fun part of the town now, Avoca resident Sunshine Schoeller said.
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Liberty, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public space activation
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Old Orchard Beach, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Old Orchard Beach Community Friendly Connection reenergized a neighborhood block, organizing residents to clean up, restore and refresh the Washington Avenue District and Atlantic Courts Park. A sidewalk and crosswalk painting project brightened the area and encouraged locals to walk. To improve public safety, the town also worked with the local cable and electric companies to mount a security camera near the park's basketball court and convert the court's lighting to LED. After the project was complete, about 250 people attended a block party to celebrate, with residents voting to rename the area Washington Square. Nearby businesses and community groups have ridden the momentum and made improvements to their properties as well. Those living in the neighborhood report they walk through the area more often since the transformation.
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project created a gaming area -- including a ping-pong table, cornhole game and checkers/chess table -- at the Coastal Branch Library in an existing green space.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Harlan, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Harlan library staff wanted to encourage families with children to explore Pioneer Park. To draw people in, they created a Story Walk. The library purchased twenty displays to house pages of a storybook, which they placed along the park's walking path. With their grandparents and parents by their side, kids enjoy running from sign to sign to reach the next part of the story. To keep the experience fresh, library employees swap out new stories seasonally.
Logan, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project will turn an underutilized lawn into an accessible public area with the addition of a covered gazebo, seating and an ADA-accessible picnic table.
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