Coldwater, OH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: The village will install benches, a picnic table, bike racks and trash receptacles near the new pickleball courts in the park. These amenities will support rest and social time, especially for older adults and others playing pickleball.

Milwaukee, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: Mujeres con Poder addressed barriers that made Kozy Park difficult to use for everyday activities, especially for older adults who needed places to rest and feel safe staying longer. Limited seating and unclear safety information meant some residents shortened visits or avoided the park, despite its role as a neighborhood gathering space. The project added benches and safety and wellness signage and paired these upgrades with community walks and planning sessions centered on resident input. The changes had an immediate effect. One grandmother shared that a bench near the playground now allows her to bring her grandson more often because she can sit in the shade while he plays. Together, these improvements supported more consistent park use and strengthened ongoing collaboration around safety and reducing isolation for older adults.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Milner, GA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: Milner needed a safer more accessible park where older adults could gather comfortably since limited seating, shade and lighting made it difficult to enjoy the space. The city built a fully ADA compliant shaded pavilion, added ADA compliant benches and tables, planted shade trees and improved visibility. This created a cooler, more usable environment. These upgrades encouraged residents to use the park during community activities and strengthened its role as a gathering place. The improvements are expected to support year-round use and have prompted plans for future enhancements, including upgraded playground equipment as the city continues engaging residents on long-term park needs.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.