Max, ND

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: To beautify its downtown, the City of Max added hanging flower baskets, benches and picnic tables, as well as raised garden beds. The undertaking was a community effort for the small town (Max only has 131 residents). A local community club picked out the flowers, with another group of older residents volunteering to plant them and keep them watered. Project organizers say they hope the brightened streetscape encourages residents to get out and stroll through downtown.

Jersey City, NJ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: To give residents at Marion Gardens the opportunity to gather, project organizers beautified a concrete area onsite. Residents of the public housing complex came together to plant trees, shrubs and flowers in an area of the property prone to flooding, with the new foliage acting as green infrastructure to absorb rainwater. To ensure care of the new trees long-term, project organizers also created a tree maintenance manual with pruning techniques and other tips. Since the planting, organizers have worked to plan a mural at the site.

Allentown, PA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley installed new tables, benches and chairs, lighting and flower beds at the entrance to a local senior center. The enhancements helped create a safe, comfortable outdoor space for community members of all ages. Nearly 90 older adults use the Center on a daily basis and visitors now use the space to relax and converse. Project organizers report visitors and staff appreciate the beautiful space and say it has instilled a sense of pride in the community. Inspired by the success of this project, the United Way went on to plan a similar gathering space at another community center.