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Boston, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To encourage walking, Boston installed benches in Main Street neighborhood districts across the city. Older adults tested and approved the benches and worked with the City to identify the best locations for them. The initiative's guiding principle was that making walking safe and comfortable for older adults creates a better environment for people of all ages. Project organizers report residents were eager to use the new benches. In fact, as Department of Public Works staff were finishing up an installation, a few people were often waiting to take a seat. The benches contribute to vibrant public spaces near businesses and merchants say they appreciate the increased foot traffic. Project organizers say the installations helped develop a city-wide framework for a sustainable bench program, addressing installation and long-term maintenance.
Boise, ID
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Through seven pop-up placemaking events, this project enlivened the downtown area with outdoor games and activities.
Sacramento, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Florin Road faced neglect and isolation, leaving older adults without safe, welcoming spaces. The museum led a multigenerational placemaking effort, installing ADA-accessible benches and painting murals inspired by Ndebele patterns. Older adults and youth collaborated on art projects, including tree wraps and a vibrant ground mural. Volunteers transformed the light rail station area as well. The project sparked a five-year plan for continued installations and was adopted into Sacramento Regional Transit's Art in Transit program, ensuring cultural expression and community engagement endure.
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Description: Older residents loved visiting the local theater but struggled to hear movies and community events due to outdated sound equipment.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.
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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