AARP Eye Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
See More Projects Like This One
Ponce, PR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Ponce -- Puerto Rico's second largest city -- is recovering after two hurricanes and several earthquakes damaged its downtown, leaving many families homeless. As part of reconstruction efforts, City leaders are focusing on bolstering community arts and activating public spaces. To make the downtown core more inviting, the City improved a walkway that connects the Plaza del Mercado Isabel II with the local marketplace. To prepare the site, City staff made infrastructure upgrades and revamped landscaping. They then added tables and benches to the site, allowing visitors to gather to enjoy live music, play board games and exercise. The City also installed a platform where artisans can display their work.
Mansfield, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Mansfield's Carrousel District was cut off from the city's newly created Imagination District. To demonstrate the value of connecting the two downtown areas, the Richland Community Development Corporation created a temporary linear park along West Third Street. Organizers hoped the long, narrow park would double as a community gathering pace and pedestrian pathway. The CDC installed benches, pergolas and hammocks and outfitted. Volunteers laid down artificial turf and painted murals onto the pavement. To attract people to the space, the pop-up included activities including self defense classes, interactive art exhibits, children's storytimes, food trucks and live music performances. The two-week activation was part of the CDC's efforts to advocate for a permanent linear park, which organizers say will bring vibrancy to the Carrousel District and reintegrate it into the fabric of Mansfield's downtown.
Milwaukee, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project turned vacant lots into healing spaces by mowing grass, removing debris and hosting yoga sessions, health workshops and more.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Brattleboro, VT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Residents considered the Brattleboro Transportation Center's parking garage to be ugly and uninviting. To change this, the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance worked with local artists to create signage for each level of the garage. The new signs feature a different animal for each level, with each creature -- the osprey, river otter, American shad and sea lamprey -- significant to the Abenaki indigenous community and the Connecticut River ecosystem. Additionally, the Alliance held a pop-up event in the garage's elevator to display the prototype for a new Ask the River kinetic sculpture. Visitors to the garage could view the sculpture and give their feedback. Today, the full-size version of the artwork decorates the facade of the Transportation Center building.
Brattleboro, VT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Developing projects based on residents' priorities
Description: This project will organize walk-and-talks and indoor workshops led by community members aged 50 to inform residents about the construction of a riverside park and get them engaged in shaping its future development.
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 Massachusetts State Office
One Beacon Street
Suite 2301
Boston, MA 02108
United States