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City of Shakopee (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
When a new development threatened to displace an active community garden, residents of Shakopee were disappointed. But the City of Shakopee saw an opportunity to move the garden in a more centrally accessible location near a popular bicycle and pedestrian route. This project added a concrete patio, new garden beds, seating, bike racks and trash and recycling bins to the new garden. With ADA-compliant features, including a concrete path and benches, the space is accessible to gardeners of all ages and abilities. Since the relocation, the garden provides fresh produce to families in need throughout Shakopee.
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See More Projects Like This One
Mobile, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: When the Mobile Medical Museum added a medicinal garden to its campus, the space included a a wooden boardwalk. However, older adults and people with disabilities struggles to navigate the boardwalk. This project made the garden ADA-compliant. Organizers removed the boardwalk and repaved and widened a crumbling concrete path leading to the garden. The garden -- which features medicinal herbs -- hosts community events, as well as art and horticultural therapy classes for people with disabilities and their families.
San Diego, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Many residents who live near San Diego's Park de la Cruz rent apartments, which limits their access to outdoor gathering spaces and gardening opportunities. To address this, organizers created a community garden on an overgrown parcel of land in the park. Many residents in Volunteers installed raised garden beds, designed to be accessible for people of all ages and abilities. Additionally, they added seating, a worktable, shade umbrellas and a gazebo to the space. To beautify the garden, and artist painted a mural onsite. The nonprofit also hosted a community planting day, where volunteers planted fruit trees and pollinator-friendly plans and filled the garden beds with vegetables. Since creating the garden, volunteers continue to care for the space. The garden provides produce for local families, as well as ingredients for a weekly cooking program for older adults.
Imperial Beach, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Imperial Beach lacked accessible spaces for older adults to garden and connect, despite strong community demand. The city converted a 4,500-square-foot lot near its adult center into an intergenerational garden with 18 raised beds and wheelchair-accessible planters. It also added a greenhouse, compost bins, a tool shed and seating areas. More than 150 volunteers, including many age 50 or over, helped build the space and joined planting days and nutrition workshops. The garden now hosts monthly classes on gardening and healthy cooking, offering residents a welcoming place to socialize. They are able to stay active and grow fresh produce-turning a vacant lot into a hub for health and community.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Burnsville, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Burnsville city staff identified four crosswalks in need of safety improvements. To make the crossings safter for people on foot, they installed flashing beacons, which pedestrians activate by pushing a button. The flashing lights alter drivers to people crossing the street, prompting them to slow down. They also repainted pavement striping, added signage and improved sidewalks to make them ADA-accessible. To evaluate the efficacy of the changes, the City conducted a pedestrian study after installation. The City is now working to educate drivers about the beacons and crosswalk safety.
Minneapolis, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Improved wayfinding
Description: Mobility hubs were designed to offer sustainable transportation, but older adults and residents with limited English proficiency struggled with unclear signage and few places to rest. The city responded by installing bright, icon-based wayfinding signs, adding benches and testing LED projectors for nighttime visibility. Ambassadors connected with older adults at events and cultural centers to explain shared bikes and scooters and gather feedback. These changes improved comfort and accessibility, and the project laid groundwork for citywide signage upgrades. Outreach was expanded to help residents navigate mobility options confidently.
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