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Grand Forks, ND

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: This project will revitalize Smiley Park and Skidmore Park in the Near North Neighborhood. Improvements include raised garden beds, a little free library, historical signage, and safer sidewalk access.

Mobile, AL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Organizers with Via Health, Fitness and Enrichment Center envisioned a community green space where Mobile residents of all ages can interact. This project added two gazebos to the space, providing visitors with shade. Project organizers also installed a bike rack and dog watering station onsite and volunteers constructed a raised garden bed for growing flowers, herbs and vegetables. Since the transformation, Midtown Meets has become a meetup spot for local walking and biking clubs, a space for college students to take study breaks and a place for older adults to socialize. In addition, a new volunteer group, called Midtown Neighbors, continues to meet to work in the community garden beds.

Central Falls, RI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: This project will weatherize a community pavilion, making it welcoming in rain and colder weather. The work will enable Progreso Latino to host more activities, particularly for older adults.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Des Moines, IA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options

Description: To expand transportation options to more residents, this project created a call center. This allows older adults who don't own smartphones to access rides hailing services by phone -- something previously only possible through an app. To further help residents get around, Aging Resources provides older adults with up to eight free rides each month.

Des Moines, IA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: In the early to mid-1900s, the Waveland Trolley was an integral part of Des Moines' transportation system yet has long since been replaced by more modern options. The Des Moines Historical Society's Waveland Trolley Project set out to commemorate the city's rich history by transforming a long-neglected space into a walkable outdoor transit museum. The park-like setting is located on the former site of the trolley loop, where streetcars would turn around at the end of their route. The outdoor museum features benches, bike racks, panels displaying historical information and a life-sized sculpture of the Waveland Trolley.

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