Somerville, NJ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: This project paired local youth with graduate students to evaluate walkability and bikeability in Somerset. Youth ambassadors engaged with members of their community to identify barriers to walking and biking, as well as opportunities to make active transportation safer and more comfortable. Based on their findings, the students decided to construct a parklet in Somerville's Bound Brook neighborhood. The mini-park -- which sits in the footprint of a parking spot -- extends the sidewalk space into the roadway. The parklet is modular, allowing the student ambassadors to set it up at community events, including weekly farmers market and movie nights. Organizers hope the temporary space offers residents an attractive place to stop, sit and to rest while taking in activities on the street. Youth who participated in the project worked alongside local leaders and made intergenerational connections -- all while learning how to advocate for their community.

Middlesex, NJ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Disaster Resilience Other

Description: The borough will distribute emergency readiness kits to residents age 50-plus through the local Senior Center. Kits include basic supplies and guidance to help older adults prepare for severe weather, power outages and other emergencies.