Wilton, IA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: This project will improve a garden space by developing a sensory area for all ages. The upgrades will provide shade and increase comfortable seating options, ensuring the space is accessible for all users. Master gardeners will help guide planting, with the aim of growing produce.

Portland, OR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: This project will turn an overgrown area into a community garden featuring medicinal and edible plants. The accessible space will host educational workshops and give community members a place gather and socialize. In addition, produce from the garden will be donated to people in need.

Salt Lake City, UT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Salt Lake City's Taylorsville neighborhood is home to refugee families from Syria, Myanmar and Afghanistan. Many new residents, however, struggle with social isolation. To help people feel connected, Salt Lake County created a community garden at the local senior center. Volunteers built four raised beds and the County provided ergonomic gardening equipment, seeds and starter plants. Project organizers say the opportunity to garden gives older adults -- who were often farmers and ranchers in their native countries -- a renewed sense of purpose. Gardening also allows them to form relationships with their neighbors.