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Bayside Community Center (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
To organizers with Bayside Community Center, a patch of dirt in Linda Vista Community Park had potential to become something more -- a community garden. First, the nonprofit presented their idea to local community groups to get neighbors' buy-in for the project. Volunteers then worked to transform the space, adding raised garden beds which are available to low- and moderate-income residents to rent. The garden serves a neighborhood considered to be a food desert and Bayside Community Center uses the garden to grow produce for families in need. The space also serves as a gathering space for neighbors, many of whom live in nearby affordable housing complexes. Additionally, organizers say the garden spurred similar projects in other city parks, leading the City of San Diego to consider streamlining its policies governing new community gardens.
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Sheridan, WY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Veterans at the Sheridan VA struggled to access a therapeutic garden because uneven terrain and heat made gardening unsafe for those with mobility challenges. The project installed more than 500 feet of ADA-compliant concrete paths, raised beds at accessible heights and a retractable shade system. Volunteers and VA staff also hosted workshops and a garden symposium to engage veterans. These upgrades created a fully accessible space that supports physical activity, mental health and food security, ensuring older veterans can garden safely for years to come. One participant, who is a veteran, said that he didn't realize how much he would love gardening, and now has a passion for it.
Superior, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project will enhance a community garden by providing supplies and building a ramada for year-round outdoor programming. It aims to increase access to green space, free organic food, and learning opportunities.
Montclair, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Montclair Community Garden has long been used by community members as a central gathering place, despite a lack of older adult-friendly amenities. The Montclair Community Foundation installed three raised garden beds, specifically designed for people with mobility restrictions, those who cannot easily bend down and gardeners who use wheelchairs. Additionally, the foundation installed an ADA-compliant picnic table, an 18-by-27-foot shade structure and new LED lighting. These changes enable residents of all ages and abilities to enjoy the garden. Now that the improvements are complete, project organizers say they are piloting a health education program at the garden, which will welcome patients whose doctors have recommended they spend time outdoors.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
San Diego, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The alleys in the Normal Heights neighborhood of San Diego were underused and unsafe, with broken pavement and no inviting public spaces for older adults or families. To change that, the association painted two large murals celebrating nature and intergenerational engagement, repaved the alley for safe passage and hosted a pop-up event that drew nearly 300 residents to share ideas for future improvements. The murals and resurfacing transformed the alley into a vibrant, accessible space and prompted the city to prioritize alley upgrades. One resident said the murals "invite you to explore the alley for a closer look."
San Diego, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Engaging residents alongside thought leaders in problem solving
Description: To raise awareness about the needs of older adults and the ways communities can be more age-friendly, consumer advocacy organization CARR created boomer.ology, a conversation-starting board game. The game is based on the 8 Domains of Livability framework used by the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. CARR designed the game to be set up at public events. To play, participants move their game pawns across the board based on their answers to a series of questions on housing, transportation, outdoor spaces and buildings, social participation, health and community services, respect and social inclusion, communication and information and civic participation and employment.
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