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City of Estherville (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Park enhancements
└ Park enhancements
To improve its recreation facilities, the City of Estherville asked residents for their ideas about how to improve local outdoor spaces. In response to this feedback, the City added special playground swings at the community's parks that are suitable for users of various skills, sizes and ages. The generation swings are two swings in one -- a combined adult swing and a swing for babies and toddlers. This enables children to swing face-to-face with their adult.
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Pollock Pines, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: This project set out to create a park, where Pollock Pines residents can gather. Following community engagement efforts, organizers with Community Economic Development Association Pollock Pines decided to highlight local history through the greenspace's design, paying tribute to early settlers, the Old West, the Pony Express, wagon trains and the gold mining and logging industries. To give residents a place to exercise, they also incorporated fitness equipment specifically designed for older adults.
Angola, IN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Downtown Angola lacked accessible seating during events like Food Truck Fridays, limiting participation for older adults and people with mobility challenges. The project installed wheelchair-accessible picnic tables on permanent concrete pads in the community green space, creating a safe and inclusive environment. Volunteers helped with assembly, and branded plates were added to highlight the initiative. The tables now provide a lasting solution for social connection and comfort. One attendee said the new seating made events "less complicated" for her and her son, allowing them to simply come and enjoy the space.
Harlan, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Harlan library staff wanted to encourage families with children to explore Pioneer Park. To draw people in, they created a Story Walk. The library purchased twenty displays to house pages of a storybook, which they placed along the park's walking path. With their grandparents and parents by their side, kids enjoy running from sign to sign to reach the next part of the story. To keep the experience fresh, library employees swap out new stories seasonally.
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Graettinger, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Graettinger lacked safe, low-impact fitness options for older adults in its rural community. To address this, the city installed two pickleball courts with fencing, nets and benches, and added a paved sidewalk linking the courts to the playground and walking trail. Volunteers cleared the site, and older adults began hosting daily meetups to teach pickleball. These improvements created a social hub and accessible exercise space, helping residents stay active and connected with family and neighbors for years to come.
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