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.

Youngstown, OH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Residents of Youngstown's Boulevard Park neighborhood lacked access to public outdoor spaces. So the Boulevard Park Block Watch decided to create a pocket park. Volunteers worked to activate two overgrown empty lots, laying concrete for a walking path, planting shrubs and fruit trees, installing accessible picnic tables and adding seating -- including porch swings -- to the space. Since the improvements, project organizers say residents have begun strolling along the walking path. They say the new pocket park gives community members a safe place to gather and relax in nature, even in Boulevard Park's urban setting. In the future, Youngstown hopes to add more pocket parks across the city.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.