Birmingham, AL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: This project expanded community garden facilities by renovating an existing trailer to provide restrooms, an office and a classroom/meeting space. The upgrades provide indoor space where Bush Hills Connections can host gardening classes. The garden also received new pet waste stations and hand and equipment sanitation stations. The garden -- once an abandoned school property -- is located within a food desert and provides fresh produce to 200 families. Additionally, it is a popular meeting place, particularly with older adults.

State College, PA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Capturing data and feedback from residents

Description: To help localities gather feedback from residents about local livability, this project developed a guide to community engagement techniques. The pilot project, called One Community - Many Generations, also included an online assessment tool. To test the guide and virtual survey tool, project organizers convened community members -- including elected leaders -- who used the online tool to share their feedback, followed by a virtual conversation. Input from residents led the University to purchase stone benches, which they installed in downtown State College, giving people an outdoor gathering space. Since then, working groups formed during the pilot have continued to improve the community. Recent projects include trash cleanup, improved signage and intergenerational events.

Tampa, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions

Description: This project will promote accessory dwelling units as an affordable, accessible housing option through a design competition. Teams from local architecture firms, as well as participants from high school and college architecture programs, will present their ADU designs.