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City of Clarion (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
A dilapidated, abandoned building sat in the heart of Clarion's downtown business district. But city officials were concerned demolishing the building would result in a missing tooth -- a vacant lot not conducive for redevelopment. The City made the difficult decision to tear down the building, but rather than leave the site empty they turned the space into a pocket park. Equipped with accessible picnic tables and new trees, bushes, planters and attractive grasses, the new green space gives residents easy access from a parking lot to the shops and restaurants on Central Avenue.
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Kiowa, CO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Public space activation
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Milwaukee, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Two V-shaped benches will be installed at a busy park entrance near transit and parking. The seating will provide a safe place to rest, help people transition from the street to the park and support easier access for those needing a break.
Columbia, SC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: As part of efforts to activate space and increase the vitality of Columbia's downtown, this project created the city's first parklet. Parklets transform on-street parking spaces into public gathering spaces. Originally intended to be temporary, Columbia's miniature park consists of a ground-level, fenced-in deck featuring an art installation, a cafe table and chairs and new planters. While several nearby restaurants lack outdoor seating space, the parklet remedied this, giving visitors a space to eat and socialize. To gather public feedback about the new space, city staff displayed a QR code onsite, which linked to an online survey. Spurred by the success of this project, organizers made plans to add more parklets downtown. City staff have also looked into creating a parklet ordinance, which would allow local businesses to create similar spaces in the future.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Belmond, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The project will convert a narrow Main Street lot into an accessible pocket park with seating and shade. The space will offer a place to rest, gather and enjoy downtown events.
Forest City, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Trails
Description: The project will restore a historic pedestrian bridge to reconnect neighborhoods across the river. Improved access will create safer walking and biking routes, strengthening links within the local trail system.
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