Eliot, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: To create a more accessible space for all ages, the Eliot Aging in Place Committee installed five benches on the Eliot Boat Basin, located on the banks of the Piscataqua River. The project was a community effort -- volunteers assembled the benches and transported them to their permanent locations. A key goal was to increase walkability and improve health and quality of life for residents. To achieve that, the Aging in Place Committee chose the bench design specifically with older adults' comfort in mind. Project organizers hope the benches -- placed along the waterfront and near a playground -- give visitors a place to rest, allowing them to enjoy walks in the park. Following their installation, the Committee secured funding for additional benches for the town's library.

Salyersville, KY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: Older adults lacked shaded seating in the community park, making walking trails and playground visits uncomfortable. The council installed canopies over 16 benches and added a sound system for the stage, creating shaded resting areas and enabling events. Volunteers contributed significant time to complete the improvements. "These improvements have been such a great addition to the park and should provide many years of enjoyment," said a local official. The upgrades transformed the park into a welcoming space for older adults and families, encouraging outdoor activity and social engagement.

Epworth, IA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: Tower Park lacked a dedicated space to honor veterans and connect residents, and steep terrain limited access for older adults. The Legion installed a six-foot granite monument, two flagpoles and landscaping. It was unveiled during a Memorial Day ceremony that drew many community members. The project improved accessibility with terraced seating and ADA-compliant paths and inspired plans for benches and a statue. The Mayor called the effort "a collaboration of many groups and a perfect example of serving and using our gifts to honor the memory of those who fought for us and our freedom."