See More Projects Like This One

Chicago, IL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: The El Paseo Community Garden in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood added a new gathering space, dubbed El Convivio or The Gathering. The goal of the project was to make the garden more accessible to Latino older adults living in nearby apartment buildings. Improvements to the space include an outdoor kitchen and patio with a fire pit, ADA-compliant seating, walking paths and an accessible planting station. Planters at the site were specifically designed to grow culturally relevant produce, including tomatoes, peppers, garlic and onions. The picnic area's stucco and ceramic tiles mimic designs seen in Mexican haciendas. Garden leaders partnered with nonprofit architectural firm Human Scale to involve garden members in the space's design and volunteers from the neighborhood installed the new amenities. As El Paseo's leadership finalized El Convivio, they also worked with the City of Chicago to secured additional land to expand the garden.

Anadarko, OK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Delaware Nation created an accessible community garden in an area designated as a food desert. Residents of all ages use the garden to plant and harvest fresh fruits and vegetables. The garden includes 25 raised beds, constructed at different heights to accommodate older adults and people with mobility differences. Two beds are specifically designated for growing native plants. Delaware Nation also purchased gardening tools, including wheelbarrows, trellises, garden hoses, an irrigation system and reusable frost blankets. Much of the produce grown onsite is used in meals prepared for the tribe's older members. Tables, shade umbrellas and a charcoal grill allow tribal members to gather and enjoy produce from the garden together.

San Diego, CA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: This project turned an overgrown lot at the Park de la Cruz Community Center into a garden with raised flower beds and accessible seating.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Reno, NV

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Public art installations

Description: The placemaking mural project will use art as a catalyst to create collaborative relationships between neighbors and advocate for walkable streets.

Reno, NV

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: This project will enhance a park and community garden with shuffleboard and cornhole games, bocce ball courts and benches. The activation will create a safe gathering space, located near schools, older adult housing and tribal communities.

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