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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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Metuchen, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To create a gathering spot near the city's center for older adults, this project transformed two downtown parking spaces into a parklet with planters, seating and a table decorated with a mosaic.
Avoca, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Avoca's Main Street already had green space and places to sit, but Avoca Public Library organizers wanted to give residents a reason to spend time downtown. To invite people in, they installed oversized, weather-proof musical instruments outside the library. Since the instruments don't require any training or talent to play, they are popular with residents of all ages. Part of the town's creative placemaking plans, the new music park is located near the site of Avoca's weekly summer farmer's market. It's a fun part of the town now, Avoca resident Sunshine Schoeller said.
Rapid City, SD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To increase awareness of the local book club and other community activities, NeighborWorks designed and installed 30 flags in the North Rapid neighborhood. A local artists created designs for the flags and residents worked together to approve wording for each one. Volunteers then installed flags on utility poles throughout the neighborhood. Project organizers say that since the flags appeared, local groups have received inquiries about how to become more involved in local activities.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Bowman, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: The theater will upgrade its sound system to accommodate older adults and people with hearing loss. The project will also add microphones to the space, allowing the theater to host public speaking events.
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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