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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.
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See More Projects Like This One
Carrington, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: The first phase of a public garden enhancement will add smooth concrete walkways and resting spots to create clear, accessible movement. These features will make it easier to walk through the gardens and spend time outdoors near downtown services.
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.
Hayti, SD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: The Town of Hayti tackled a long-standing comfort and safety issue at its softball field, where older adults often gather to watch grandchildren play. With no shade and uneven access around the grandstand, hot summer games were difficult to sit through and navigating the area posed challenges for people with mobility concerns. Local volunteers built a roof over the concrete bleachers, added guard rails and poured level cement pads on both sides to create wheelchair accessible access. The changes immediately improved comfort and safety, especially during peak summer heat. Community members shared that the value of the project became clear once the roof was in place, providing relief from the sun and making it easier to stay for full games. The upgraded grandstand is expected to serve residents for decades and is guiding plans for additional seating and shade as the field continues to function as a central gathering place.
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.
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