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Bowman County Development Corporation (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
This project transformed a vacant lot on Bowman's Main Street into a community garden and pocket park. The Bowman County Development Corporation activated the space by adding accessible seating, an outdoor dining area, flowerpots and a shade structure. Residents of the small town were encouraged to get involved by laying pavers and planting grass, while a sign at the garden's entrance invites visitors to pull a weed or two and enjoy the fresh produce. Since the improvements, other local organizations have added to the garden, installing bike racks and a self-watering plot showcasing native plants.
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Charleston, SC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The American College of the Building Arts installed benches and a new pergola to create a multigenerational gathering space at the Community's Hope Impact Center, a local community center. The College saw the installation process as an opportunity for education, holding workshops on masonry where volunteers helped lay bricks for the space's walkway. With a goal of preserving, enriching and educating about architectural heritage, the organization trains artisans in traditional building crafts, such as carpentry and forging architectural iron. It was founded in the wake of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, which damaged or destroyed much of coastal South Carolina's historic architecture.
Ossipee, NH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The park lacked shade and shelter, leaving older adults and families exposed to sun and rain. Volunteers built a 12-by-16-foot pavilion and added an ADA-compliant picnic table and benches, contributing more than 500 hours to the effort. The pavilion now serves as a safe, year-round gathering spot for meetings and celebrations. One resident stated that now "we see people using the park almost every hour of the day. "
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
New Orleans, LA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: A neighborhood playground in Musicians Village had fallen into disrepair, leaving older adults and families without a safe space to gather. Volunteers replaced damaged equipment and added two new play structures. They also installed an accessible picnic table and built a new fence to restore safety and appeal. Monthly cleanups removed hazards like broken glass, and community events drew residents back to the park. The upgrades transformed the site into a welcoming space for multigenerational activity. This prompted additional city funding for future improvements, signaling long-term investment in neighborhood livability.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Bowman, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: Older residents loved visiting the local theater but struggled to hear movies and community events due to outdated sound equipment. To restore access, the theater installed a new audio system with column speakers, microphones and an RF listening system offering individual devices for those with hearing loss. Volunteers helped with installation, and the upgrades immediately drew praise from older adults who can now enjoy films and presentations again. The project revived a cherished community space and will inspire similar improvements at other venues.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Hettinger, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To expand recreation options for residents of Hettinger, this project activated Centennial Square, an underused space in the city's downtown. The Hettinger Area Chamber of Commerce added outdoor games to the square, including Jenga and chess. Organizers say they hope the games plaza draw people downtown and provide opportunities for intergenerational activities. "The biggest highlight of this project was the way that a few games brought together a diverse spread of community members of different ages," Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jasmin Fosheim said.
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