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Hattiesburg, MS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Duncan Lake Park in Hattiesburg's East Jerusalem neighborhood is popular with residents, yet many of the park's amenities were in disrepair. To give the park new life, Hattiesburg Landmark Preservation refurbished picnic tables with new tops featuring painted checkerboards. They also installed new benches, added a wheelchair-accessible sidewalk and created two murals depicting native plants and animals. Today, the park hosts free arts programming for residents of all ages.
Milner, GA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: This project will revitalize a city park by adding an ADA-compliant shaded pavilion with tables and benches, and improved lighting for visibility. These enhancements will make the park more accessible to older adults.
Melba, ID
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: This project will construct a 15-foot by 15-foot octagonal gazebo in Centennial Park. The ADA-accessible gazebo, with two benches and ADA parking spaces, will provide a meeting place for community events and gatherings.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Vernon, CT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: A vacant courtyard at the Senior Center offered little value while older adults had limited access to fresh produce and social engagement. The project transformed the space with eight raised garden beds, trellises and an accessible walkway. About 15 volunteers planned and maintain the gardens, which will supply vegetables for meals and share extras with members and local shelters. Participants expressed excitement about gardening again, anticipating healthier meals and renewed opportunities for connection and activity.
Manchester, CT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: To combat food insecurity and isolation, the organization transformed its property into a welcoming outdoor space with raised garden beds and picnic tables. Volunteers maintained the gardens, which yielded tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, okra, watermelon and herbs for free distribution. A ribbon-cutting event marked the opening, and older adults embraced the space as a place to share meals and conversation. The project not only provided fresh produce to improve nutrition, but also fostered inclusion and strengthened community ties. It has created a vibrant setting that will expand in future seasons.
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