AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
City of Evanston Urban Renewal Agency and Main Street Program (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
Two historic public spaces in Evanston lacked features that encouraged active use, leaving older adults with few options for social engagement. To change that, the city installed three concrete game tables for ping pong, foosball and chess/checkers, with wheelchair-friendly seating and using donated equipment. Volunteers helped assemble the tables, creating vibrant spaces for low-impact physical and mental activity. The durable tables are expected to draw visitors for years. A project leader said, "The day after the game tables were out, we heard a good story about a community member's granddaughter playing foosball with her dad. She had the best time and couldn't wait to play again."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Fayetteville, AR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The outdoor space at Hillcrest Towers -- an affordable housing complex for older adults -- were in disrepair and didn't meet residents' accessibility needs. To fix this, the Fayetteville Housing Authority replaced aging an aging pergola and a gazebo onsite. They also installed accessible seating and a picnic table to encourage residents to walk and socialize. New solar lighting made the space useable even after dark. To complete the improvements, volunteers beautified the grounds, planting native, edible foliage. Organizers say the work allowed neighbors from the community to engage with Hillcrest Towers residents. In the future, the Authority plans to host events in the space, including movie nights.
Clyde, KS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Downtown Clyde lacked a safe, welcoming space for gatherings, leaving older adults without an accessible venue for celebrations and casual meetups. The project installed pathway, bistro and landscape lighting across the new Village Green. This illuminatied walkways, seating areas and a mural, while adding color-changing lights to a water feature for seasonal appeal. Exterior lights improved safety around the vendor building. Residents now enjoy a secure, vibrant space for milestone events and daily interactions. One donor said, "I'm so proud of the City of Clyde for its efforts," and noted the positive effect on family and community.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Chickasha, OK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: As part of wider efforts to revitalize Chickasha's downtown, the Chickasha Economic Development Council made several streetscape improvements. To increase foot traffic to local businesses, volunteers decorated crosswalks with pavement art and created a mural. They also installed benches and bike tracks. The branding effort is meant to redefine the town's commercial district and connect it with the surrounding neighborhoods. Project organizers hope to build on the improvements in the future, adding additional public art and pedestrian infrastructure.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Evanston, WY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To bring vibrancy to Evanston's downtown, Evanston's Main Street program installed a unique, new seating option. This project added swing tables, which consist of a picnic table with bench seating on one side and swings on the other. Each table also accommodates people who use wheelchairs, who can roll up to either end of the table. To make the seating more comfortable, Main Street equipped each table with shade sails and solar lights. Additionally, the program engaged volunteers to paint pavement murals in the central business district's street crossings. The public art serves a dual purpose -- the murals add color to the streetscape and make crosswalks more noticeable to passing drivers. This calms traffic and increases pedestrian safety.
Logan, UT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Developing projects based on residents' priorities
Description: Cache County is home to many migrants from Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia, Myanmar and other nations. To serve this community, Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection launched its Neighbor Program, with matches refugee families with local U.S.-born families. The cross-cultural pairings help familiarize newcomers with local resources, as well as activities and restaurants. Most importantly, participants learned about each other's cultures and developed friendships. To reach more families, project organizers worked to translate information about the program into Spanish, Tigrinya, Somali, Karen and Arabic. To ensure safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, participants primarily met online, but facilitators also provided them with outdoor activity kits. During the winter holidays, they baked cookies to share with one another.
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 Wyoming State Office
1800 Carey Ave
Suite 400
Cheyenne, WY 82001
United States