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City of Graettinger (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Park enhancements
└ Park enhancements
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.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Hauula, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: An abandoned five-acre lot had a high number of invasive plants and illegal dumping, leaving residents without a safe outdoor space. Hui o Hauula rallied more than 100 volunteers to clear the land, build a walking trail and install ten ADA-compliant benches. Older adults and youth collaborated with a local artist to paint a 20-foot mural celebrating resilience, unveiled during a cultural event with music and hula. Today, the site hosts daily walkers, children playing ball and a weekly farmers market, with plans for a resilience hub and health programs underway. "If you build it they will come... and they did," said one organizer.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Warrenton, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: To guide redevelopment of Eva Walker Park, this project developed a master plan to guide improvements to the beloved community space. Goals in the plan include enhancing a popular sledding hill with slides and a new staircase, constructing an amphitheater and pavilions and creating new basketball courts, gardens, paths and a playground. To kick off the plan's implementation, the Town created a contemplative garden at the park, adding benches, new landscaping, a concrete pathway and a decorative panel to beautify the park's gateway.
Arlee, MT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Older adults in Arlee lacked places to gather, leaving many isolated from community life. That changed when picnic tables and benches were added to the new garden site, giving residents a spot to rest, share stories and watch volunteers harvest more than 4,600 pounds of fresh produce. Three generations joined cleanup and planting events, turning the space into a hub for connection. Older adults now have a welcoming place to join the conversation, and plans for an expanded garden and orchard promise even more opportunities to strengthen ties and advance food sovereignty.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Estherville, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: 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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