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Pleasant Hill, MO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Pleasant Hill will add benches and picnic tables to City Park and the Recreation Complex, providing rest stops along pathways and at activity hubs. This project aims to improve accessibility and comfort for older adults and individuals with mobility challenges, fostering community engagement and inclusion.
Christiansted, VI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project will develop plans for an accessible green space at Sunday Market Square. This project aims to foster resilience, food security, and healthy aging by creating a welcoming environment for older adults and families.
Bunkie, LA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Older residents in Bunkie lacked walkable routes and green spaces, limiting opportunities for social connection and physical activity. The project introduced a historic walking tour with a wayfinding sign, pamphlets and a dedicated bench along the route. The tour promotes activity and community ties while building support for Complete Streets improvements. "I rarely came out and walk anymore but I'm excited to take the self-guided walking tour with my grandchildren now," said one participant.
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Des Moines, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: Older adults at South Side Library faced barriers to technology and browsing due to vision and mobility issues, limiting access to resources. The library installed large-print keyboards on all public computers and added magnification tools throughout collections. It also provided mobility aids like a wheelchair, walker and cane. These changes eased stress and encouraged independence. Patrons now browse DVDs and use computers with confidence. One visitor said after borrowing a rollator, "I'll be visiting the library way more often now."
Des Moines, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Capturing data and feedback from residents
Description: The Iowa League of Cities Organizers partnered the City of Marshalltown and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to hold educational workshops on data analytics. Workshop leaders taught community members how to use publicly-available government data to asses issues important to older adults, including safety, walkability, accessibility, public finance and housing. Using feedback gathered from the community as an information source, the League of Cities demonstrated how to map local mobility features. The City has used learnings from the project to inform decisions about public transportation routes and accessibility improvements. Organizers hope the workshops provide a model for other localities looking to engage the community through open data.
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