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Bon Secours Community Works (2020) Print
2020 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
This project helped prepare the ground for Rachael Wilson Memorial Park, named in honor of Maryland's first woman firefighter to be killed in the line of duty. To clear room for park amenities, Bon Secours Community Works removed two sections of concrete foundation, left over from the foundations of abandoned homes that once sat on the site. Project organizers also planted 30 trees. The new greenspace is the result of a grassroots effort by two longtime West Baltimore residents and advocates. Today, the park features new playground equipment and a mural painted by a local artist, which pays tribute to Rachael Wilson.
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Readfield, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Organizers with Age-Friendly Readfield knew their town was in need of a facelift. To help meet the needs of residents facing food insecurity, they provided a local food bank with a sandwich sign board, rolling delivery cart and new cooler. They also upgraded the town library's outdoor space by adding Adirondack chairs and tables. Finally, they provided chairs and a kayak dock for Readfield's beach. A multigenerational group of volunteers cleaned up both the library park and beach. Organizers say these same volunteers will now be involved in programming at both outdoor spaces.
West Chester, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project installed ADA-compliant seating and tables, plus a security camera, to an underused terrace outside the library.
Gooding, ID
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The Gooding Public Library Foundation converted an unused area of West Park into a community commons. Located near Gooding's library, city hall and police station, the site now features accessible picnic tables, shade canopies and lidded trash cans. The library now uses the site for a variety of activities, including story time and science experiments. Library patrons, workers on lunch break and other community members also gather in the space. The library now plans to install a little free library in the park.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Baltimore, MD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Lifelong housing and accessibility
Description: This project renovated an abandoned home. Organizers then gave the house away, mortgage free, to an older adult who has never owned a home before
Baltimore, MD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: This project hosted a series of workshops where residents created a glass and ceramic mosaic. Art with a Heart then installed the completed artwork on the University of Maryland Medical Center's Midtown Campus. The mosaic depicts local people, houses and landmarks surrounded by a swirl of colorful flowers and features the words, We hear. We teach. We discover. We care.
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