Bedford, VA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: The town will install a small parklet in a downtown area near a veterans memorial. The parklet will offer seating and a safe place for people, especially older adults, to reflect and gather along a busy street.

Macon, GA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Before 24/7 television, air-conditioning and smartphones, sitting outside and talking over a game of chess or checkers was a popular pastime. To give residents of all ages in South Macon a place to gather, South Macon Art Revitalization Technology purchased outdoor checkerboard tables and two oversized Connect Four games. A crew of neighborhood residents serve as volunteer game instructors onsite. "Chess, checkers and Connect Four are games that require critical thinking, patience and skill," SMART secretary Frankie Lewis said, noting that many older people in the neighborhood are accomplished chess and checkers players. "We want to make sure their skills don't get lost due to the lack of activity, and we want the elders in our community to share their knowledge with people here of all ages, but especially our youth."

Weston, WV

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: A paved, covered outdoor seating area will be added beside the dining room with safe walkway access at the local Senior Center. The space will allow more visitors to enjoy fresh air and social time during meals and community events.