Anchorage, AK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: Folker Park is a 2-acre urban forest located within the city of Anchorage. The park is adjacent to intergenerational living facilities and in the past was used by people of all ages. However, many of the park's volunteer caretakers have stopped routine maintenance, leaving many areas overgrown and essentially unusable. To improve the park, the Anchorage Park Foundation installed six outdoor musical instruments, a reflexology footpath, a healing maze and age-accessible fitness equipment. They also gathered volunteers to weed garden beds, pick up trash and plant flowers. Today, the park a central hub for the community once again, and a source of pride for residents.

Mounds, IL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: The City of Mounds made accessibility improvements to its City Park to ensure the space is welcoming to people of all ages and abilities. This included outfitting restrooms to be ADA-compliant, adding a ramp to the park's gazebo and installing benches and picnic tables with shade umbrellas.

Kerrville, TX

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: The project will install benches near tennis courts giving players a place to rest and socialize. A shade structures over an outdoor fitness center will make the fitness equipment more welcoming in the Texas heat.