AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
City of Milnor (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Park enhancements
└ Park enhancements
Milnor faced a gap in outdoor recreation for its Northview neighborhood, leaving older adults without nearby options for fitness and social connection. To address this, the city added outdoor exercise equipment next to a children's playground. This included a strider and two chest presses, with a recumbent bike to follow in spring. Volunteers and city staff handled installation. Residents say they are eager to use the equipment, which offers a lasting alternative in a town without an indoor gym and encourages older adults to stay active while engaging with neighbors.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
St. Thomas, VI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Hurricanes left many parks in disrepair, and intense heat made outdoor spaces uncomfortable for older adults. The project built a durable shade structure with two ADA-compliant picnic tables near a playground, skate and bike park and open field, creating a cooler, welcoming spot for all ages. Volunteers also repaired a ballpark dugout and extended a concrete slab to improve accessibility. Families now use the shaded area for gatherings, and older adults enjoy a safe place to connect while watching activities. Built to withstand harsh island conditions, the structure will serve the community for decades.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Yuma, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Part of larger efforts to foster ecotourism and give residents a free, outdoor public gathering space, this project created seating for a new nature park in Yuma's wetlands. Sunset View Nature Park sits along the waterfront and connects to five miles of biking and walking trails. Volunteers constructed ADA-accessible picnic tables, metal and concrete benches and bike racks for the site. Organizers say older adults are frequent visitors to Yuma's wetland area, which offers bird watching and other recreation opportunities. Since adding the amenities, Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area has continued work on the nature park, extending trails and constructing a scenic overlook.
Grants, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: City Hall Park had limited seating and accessibility, which discouraged older adults from using a central public space. This project addressed these barriers by upgrading the park with new benches, picnic tables, planter boxes and refreshed landscaping. Older residents helped guide priorities through planning conversations and took part in cleanup and beautification days. The improvements made the park easier to navigate and more comfortable for rest and casual gatherings. Resident involvement also built a sense of ownership and pride, supporting ongoing care of the space. Together, these changes helped restore the park as a place older adults can regularly use to relax, connect with neighbors and spend time outdoors.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Forman, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The City of Forman transformed an empty lot into a pleasant gathering space, designed especially for older adults. The space is located on the city's Main Street, across from a senior center and next to the county health office. To activate the lot, the City installed paving stones and set up a two-person table with chairs. They also added planters, solar lights, a trash can, a metal bench and an arbor at the entrance. Flowers, shrubs and a community garden with six raised beds followed. As the only outdoor area on Forman's Main Street with seating, the site gave people a safe place to gather during the COVID-19 pandemic. With new businesses opening across the street, the City expects to see more pedestrian traffic in the neighborhood.
Forman, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Limited access kept residents from fully using Forman's community garden. The city moved the garden to a central park near assisted living and added raised beds, benches and a picnic table to make it more inviting. The new location encourages families and older adults to garden and gather, while added seating creates a comfortable resting spot for visitors. One resident said, "I love the new garden boxes. They look great and are in the perfect location."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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 has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP North Dakota State Office
107 W. Main Avenue
Suite 125
Bismarck, ND 58501
United States