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Commercial Street Community Improvement District (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
In the 1980s, many businesses moved out of Springfield's downtown. But in recent years, a new generation of entrepreneurs, artists and gig workers have begun repopulating the city's main commercial district. In light of the area's new vibrancy, the Commercial Street Community Improvement District is working to market the area and tell its story. The CID created a series of parklets with outdoor seating to give visitors a space to socialize and relax. They also commissioned a local artist to create a mural, using community feedback to inform the final design. The mural fits within a larger street art project. CID organizers say they hope these improvements will help the community develop a renewed sense of place.
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See More Projects Like This One
San Diego, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Part of Vision Zero work to reduce pedestrian fatalities, City Heights CDC worked to create a sense of space and improve safety at a dangerous intersection. The City Heights neighborhood is an enclave for refugees from Somalia and other East African countries. Residents -- particularly those 50 or older -- often gather in parking lots and on sidewalks at the busy area along University Avenue, which home to shops, markets and mosques. This placemaking project created a safe gathering space, separated from vehicle traffic. Working with residents' input, the CDC designed the space to reflect the neighborhood's culture. They installed seating, planter and tables with board game tops and painted a mural onsite. Organizers say the space helps combat social isolation and is a catalyst for investment in the neighborhood.
Driggs, ID
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The City of Driggs hoped to attract residents of all ages to Driggs' new downtown plaza, already home to a popular bocce ball court. The solution Add games. Project organizers set up a concrete foosball table and chess table. They also added chairs built to withstand the elements. A ribbon cutting ceremony drew locals, and now the plaza sees at least 10 people a day playing the interactive games.
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Older adults in Walton County had few options for outdoor recreation and social connection. To address this, the county transformed a library courtyard into a gaming garden with a ping-pong table, chess table and corn hole set. These additions created a welcoming space for residents to gather and stay active. The project introduced a new venue for multigenerational interaction and prompted plans for future upgrades, including walkways to improve accessibility.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Springfield, MO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Emergency preparedness skills
Description: The project addressed the lack of practical disaster preparedness information for older adults who face frequent storms and often have needs that require specific planning. The grant supported 17 preparedness classes that offered guidance on assembling emergency kits and understanding how medications and mobility devices factor into planning. These sessions helped residents begin building essential supplies and increased awareness of how to prepare for emergencies.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Bolivar, MO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The City of Bolivar addressed heat and comfort challenges that made it difficult for older adults and grandparents to spend time near the inclusive playground at the recreation center. Limited shade and seating had discouraged older adults from staying outdoors to watch children play or socialize. The project installed a large shade structure with nearby seating, creating a cooler place for residents to rest, gather and remain engaged without prolonged sun exposure. Located near community gathering places, the improvement supports light activity and informal social time. The shaded area created a permanent, age-friendly gathering space that encourages intergenerational interaction and regular use of the recreation center.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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