AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
City of Charleston (2020) Print
2020 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Park enhancements
└ Park enhancements
This project upgraded Charleston's East End Dog Park to make it usable for pet owners of all ages. The City planted trees, installed shade structures and added seating. They also made repairs to the park's water source and planted grass. In addition, City workers fenced off a section of the dog park specifically for smaller dogs, keeping them separate from larger breeds that can intimidate them.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Crooks, SD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: The Town of Crooks set out to build a public space where residents could honor veterans and spend time outdoors in ways that worked for older adults and people with mobility challenges. As the park took shape, limited lighting and shelter made walking paths and gathering areas harder to use safely, especially in the evening. Crooks Veterans Park addressed these gaps by adding accent lighting along the walking path and installing a picnic shelter with electrical access. The lighting improved visibility and security after hours, while the shelter created a shaded place to sit, reflect and gather during visits and events. These upgrades expanded how and when residents could use the park and supported plans to make the trail fully accessible. Attendance at Veterans Day events continued to grow, reinforcing the park as a place veterans, older adults and families return to together.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Savonburg, KS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: City leaders hoped to give Savonburg residents a park suitable for people of all ages. The City, in partnership with a local service club, added a quarter-mile walking trail, ADA-compliant picnic tables and benches to the park. Built next to a new children's playground, the additions allow intergenerational families to enjoy the public greenspace.
Gastonia, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: The Highland neighborhood lacked a safe outdoor space for older adults, as overgrown land and debris limited use of the existing garden. Keep Gastonia Beautiful expanded the garden by clearing the wooded area, adding accessible raised beds, installing ADA-friendly paths and placing new seating and fencing. Volunteers helped build structures and prepare the site while community workshops encouraged participation. The improvements increased safety, supported gardening and social activities and laid the groundwork for long-term features like shade structures and art installations. These are expected to strengthen the space as a gathering place for older adults.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Charleston, WV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services
Description: This project assisted low-income older adults with home repairs and maintenance, allowing them to safely age in place in their homes. Faith in Action's Honey Do Crews preformed a variety of tasks for older adults in Kanawha and Putnam Counties, from changing lightbulbs to repainting porches. In total, grant funds supported 16 projects. One participant was living in a home with a flimsy, glass patio door installed where a proper front door should have been. To lock the door, she would insert a broom handle across the doorway. Faith in Action purchased a new door with a deadbolt and a volunteer installed it. "I feel like I've been released from prison," the homeowner said. "I love my new door."
South Charleston, WV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Digital Connectivity for Disasters
Description: Frequent disasters left older adults in West Virginia without reliable power or digital skills to access emergency resources. Heart+Hand equipped more than 300 residents with 72-hour emergency buckets and solar chargers to keep phones and medical devices powered during outages. Over 200 older adults learned to use tablets to find critical relief information, and tablets purchased for classes will sustain training long term. These efforts reduced anxiety, improved resilience and fostered community support through volunteer engagement.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP West Virginia State Office
300 Summers Street
Suite 400
Charleston, WV 25301
United States