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AARP Livable Communities Map
City of Hammond (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
This project will transform an underutilized public space into a multipurpose place capable of hosting special events that bring older adults and people of all ages together in one cultural location.
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See More Projects Like This One
Monroeville, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Organizers with Monroeville's Main Street initiative hoped to draw residents to the city's historic downtown district. To give people a reason to gather outdoors, they added wheelchair-accessible game tables and seating in several locations, including the grounds of the Monroe County Museum, two parks, the local YMCA and a senior center. The organization also purchased checkers and chess game pieces, which are available to visitors to check out. Part of a larger campaign to decrease littering and encourage community pride, organizers also installed trash cans downtown. And to increase facetime with constituents, the newly elected mayor also called on residents to challenge him to a game of chess or checkers. Organizers say the placemaking project is meant to unite the community by giving people a place to connect with each other.
Youngstown, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project activated a vacant space in Youngstown, converting it into a pocket park. Volunteers equipped the mini-park with benches, porch-type swings, a flagpole and picnic tables.
Kendallville, IN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The City of Kendallville was looking to add more greenspace to its downtown as part of a streetscape revitalization project. To achieve this, the City created an ADA-compliant pocket park with walking paths, tables, benches, shade pergolas and new trees and flowers. Organizers also added a large driveway to accommodate the village's mobile stage, which allows the space to host outdoor entertainment. Ambient lighting and parking pads for food trucks rounded out the improvements, which make the park welcoming for visitors of all ages and abilities.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Metarie, LA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Digital navigation skills
Description: Two retired middle school teachers will train older adults to use their smartphones. Lessons will cover basic skills, such as how to turn the phone on and off, as well as intermediate topics, including making photo albums and deleting apps.
Baton Rouge, LA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: The Center for Planning Excellence set out to improve community health by promoting walking and biking in North Baton Rouge. Partnering with the local parks and recreation commission and utility departments, they improved lighting, directional signage and visibility in and around Longfellow Park. They also founded a walking club and staged a twilight walking event. Additionally, the Center launched a website with information about walking clubs, which also includes a tracking feature where residents can record their health status.
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