Abbeville, LA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: Abbeville's Lafitte Drive-in Park is located in a neighborhood with few options for free recreational activities. To give residents a place to exercise, Abbeville Main Street created the Fit-Trail. Volunteers installed several stations along the park's walking path, each featuring a different piece of exercise equipment. The walk guides users through a series of exercises, including stretches, pull-ups, leg lifts and more. Organizers also installed signage explaining how to use each station, as well as a sign that congratulates visitors once they complete the course. Organizers say the fitness course gives residents a way to increase their physical activity, and also gives people a new reason to visit Lafitte Drive-in Park.

Estherville, IA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: To improve its recreation facilities, the City of Estherville asked residents for their ideas about how to improve local outdoor spaces. In response to this feedback, the City added special playground swings at the community's parks that are suitable for users of various skills, sizes and ages. The generation swings are two swings in one -- a combined adult swing and a swing for babies and toddlers. This enables children to swing face-to-face with their adult.

Villisca, IA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: This project will add 20 weatherproof display stands to a local walking trail, creating a StoryWalk with children's book pages and activity challenges. It aims to enhance physical fitness, literacy skills, and social interaction.