AARP Eye Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
See More Projects Like This One
Louisville, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project made a series of placemaking improvements to the Woodlawn Avenue business district, located in the Beechmont neighborhood. First, the Center for Neighborhoods added pedestrian-level lighting along the street to improve safety. They also converted three parking spaces into an outdoor cafe space. Originally meant to be temporary, the picnic area's popularity spurred project organizers to create Louisville's first permanent parklet in the spot, which includes a deck, seating, a green wall and planter boxes. Beautification efforts also included activating a nearby alleyway. That included painting a mural for the space, which community members named Beechmont Alley. New, accessible parking spaces helped make the corridor more welcoming to people of all ability levels.
Glenns Ferry, ID
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The City of Glenns Ferry activated a neglected plot of land into a new, multigenerational park, which they named the Oregon Short Line Park. The space was previously the site of another park, which the City removed in 1980, leaving the land to sit in disrepair. Improvements include a new basketball court, a paved area for other games, a shade structure, benches and ADA-accessible swings designed for children, infants, adults and people with disabilities. In addition, the local branch of Future Farmers for America created an interactive musical installment comprised of a playable bell and a beat wall. Located near the city's historic museum, the Oregon Short Line Park is the only park on Glenns Ferry's south side. In the future, the City plans to add landscaping and xeriscaping.
LaBelle, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Downtown LaBelle was once a thriving destination, but in recent years many businesses have moved to different parts of town. Particularly challenging was an unusable tennis court, which sat vacant right in the heart of the downtown. To make the area more attractive to residents and visitors, the LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation created a new, multigenerational space in the footprint of the tennis court. Project organizers removed the court's worn concrete and equipped the space with a roofed gazebo, placing seating and game tables underneath.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Jenkins, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: This project will repair sidewalks, install benches and add community art along two downtown corridors frequented by older residents.
Whitesburg, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Trails
Description: The Tanglewood Trail is a three-mile, lighted path that travels through Whitesburg's downtown. To make the trail more useable for people of all ages, Appalshop laid new blacktop to create even, at-grade pavement and installed benches at regular intervals to give people a place to rest. The path connects local businesses and allows residents to navigate downtown on foot. Project organizers say the trail will eventually connect to the 1,800-mile-long Great Eastern Trail.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
![people icon](/sites/default/files/styles/card_icon/public/2020-07/icon-people.png?itok=1VDppQUn)
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
![download icon](/sites/default/files/styles/card_icon/public/2020-07/icon-download.png?itok=H1KkvZGb)
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
![mail icon](/sites/default/files/styles/card_icon/public/2020-07/icon-email.png?itok=cJNmjOcM)
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP Kentucky State Office
10401 Linn Station Road
Suite 121
Louisville, KY 40223
United States