Houston, AK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: Older adults and residents with mobility challenges had limited access to a riverfront area due to unsafe parking and difficult entry points. The City of Houston added a clearly marked parking lot with accessible spaces and improved access to nearby park features, reducing congestion and making the space easier to use. Additional upgrades included seating, signage and a playground that support safe walking, gathering and recreation. One older resident said the changes made it easier to visit with her grandchildren while enjoying the walking paths and time with neighbors. The improvements expanded daily use and created infrastructure to serve residents over time.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Coldwater, OH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: The village will install benches, a picnic table, bike racks and trash receptacles near the new pickleball courts in the park. These amenities will support rest and social time, especially for older adults and others playing pickleball.

Hattiesburg, MS

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: Duncan Lake Park in Hattiesburg's East Jerusalem neighborhood is popular with residents, yet many of the park's amenities were in disrepair. To give the park new life, Hattiesburg Landmark Preservation refurbished picnic tables with new tops featuring painted checkerboards. They also installed new benches, added a wheelchair-accessible sidewalk and created two murals depicting native plants and animals. Today, the park hosts free arts programming for residents of all ages.