Brevard, NC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: In Brevard's Rosenwald neighborhood, residents lacked access to fresh food and safe outdoor spaces. The city created a community garden with raised beds for older adults and children, added ADA-compliant benches and picnic tables and hosted events to engage neighbors. The garden now offers a place for healthy activity and social connection. One resident shared joy at gardening with her son, who has a brain injury, while another found comfort there after losing a partner.

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

Philadelphia, PA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: West Philadelphia lacked accessible green spaces, leaving older adults and marginalized residents without safe areas for recreation and social connection. The Park in a Truck initiative partnered with LandHealth Institute to build four demonstration gardens-Natural, Edible, Sanctuary and Event-at a former vacant lot. Volunteers installed raised beds, pollinator plants and seating amenable to people age 50-plus. The project united older adults and youth to create inclusive spaces and provided hands-on education about gardening and pollination. One participant shared, "Building demonstration gardens helped me learn what I can plant in other areas of my neighborhood." The gardens now serve as models for future community-led green spaces.

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

Boston, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Wakullah Street Community Garden worked to remove access barriers that limited older adults from fully using a long-standing neighborhood garden. Uneven paths, limited seating and low lighting reduced safety and shortened visits, making it harder to gather and garden. The project cleared and reoriented pathways toward shared seating areas, added lighting and prepared the site for benches, internet access and a greenhouse. Older adults volunteered alongside neighbors to shape the upgrades and plan how the space should function. Early improvements increased participation and time spent in the garden, while planned additions position the space for longer hours and resident-led activities. The work supports safer access, stronger social connection and continued use of the garden as a shared community space.

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