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Cleveland, OH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: The May Dugan Center, which serves low-income older adults in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood, hoped to create a welcoming gathering space for its Seniors on the Move program. To make the Center's outdoor area accessible, organizers outfitted the space with four ADA-compliant picnic tables. Additionally, the Center provided program participants with herb garden kits, allowing them to create windowsill gardens in their homes. Ultimately, organizers hope experience tending the kits will help SOTM participants hone their gardening skills, which they will use to plant flower beds and raised vegetable plots at the Center. This project is part of the nonprofit's larger mission to help older adults manage their financial, physical and emotional wellbeing, allowing them to safely age in place.

Santa Rosa Beach, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Older adults in Walton County had few options for outdoor recreation and social connection. To address this, the county transformed a library courtyard into a gaming garden with a ping-pong table, chess table and corn hole set. These additions created a welcoming space for residents to gather and stay active. The project introduced a new venue for multigenerational interaction and prompted plans for future upgrades, including walkways to improve accessibility.

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

Morgantown, WV

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Many older adults in Morgantown do errands on foot. But patrons of the city's senior centers reported they often needed to sit and take a break while walking downtown. Unfortunately, the downtown area lacked suitable seating options. To make the space more welcoming, the City of Morgantown installed accessible benches throughout the business district. Project organizers say the new seating has sparked enthusiasm for additional downtown improvements. Additionally, the seating is allowing more people to walk to local shops, restaurants, doctors' offices and other amenities.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

El Cajon, CA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: To help older adults in El Cajon's large Iraqi refugee community navigate the area's public transit system, Circulate San Diego created training materials in Arabic. Older adults in this community are more likely to suffer from PTSD and social isolation, with language and cultural barriers preventing many from comfortably leaving home. The training resources included a how-to video, as well as materials to help local high school students share information about transit basics with family members and neighbors. Circulate San Diego also created a transit map and brochures in Arabic. Project organizers say they hope the resources helps community members use transit as a mobility option -- and a way to regain independence.

San Diego, CA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Transportation Other

Description: Pedestrian safety "Slow Jam" events will be organized at high-risk intersections being navigated by older residents. This will increase pedestrian safety awareness and encourage safer crossing conditions.

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