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Lynchburg, VA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: To organizers with the Downtown Lynchburg Association, an underused, dead-end street had potential to draw visitors downtown. The Association transformed the space into Art Alley -- a vibrant, outdoor art gallery. To activate the space, volunteers covered the pavement in turquoise, orange, pink and green paint. They also set up string lights overhead to provide illumination. Finally, they created the Spark Joy Gallery by installing panels that display digital artworks. Project organizers say the placemaking effort has since inspired nearby property owners to spruce up their building facades, and the Art Alley has become a must-see for tourists passing through town.

Iola, KS

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: This project built a musical playground featuring outdoor, mounted instruments in a flower garden on the grounds of Allen County Regional Hospital.

Fort Fairfield, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: The library will transform an unused patch of grass into a memorial garden featuring flowers, an arbor and a gazebo. The space will be accessible for people who use wheelchairs or walkers, as well as for older adults.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Hillsboro, ND

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: Hillsboro is a small town without a school or senior center. Because of this, Buxton City Park features the community's only playground area. To make the playground more welcoming to people of all ages and abilities, the Buxton Park Board installed updated playground equipment and laid down soft landing material. Project organizers say the improvements have made the park an important intergenerational gathering space. The playground and park shelter are now the site of book club and Scouts meetings, celebrations and other community events.

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