Hayti, SD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: The Town of Hayti tackled a long-standing comfort and safety issue at its softball field, where older adults often gather to watch grandchildren play. With no shade and uneven access around the grandstand, hot summer games were difficult to sit through and navigating the area posed challenges for people with mobility concerns. Local volunteers built a roof over the concrete bleachers, added guard rails and poured level cement pads on both sides to create wheelchair accessible access. The changes immediately improved comfort and safety, especially during peak summer heat. Community members shared that the value of the project became clear once the roof was in place, providing relief from the sun and making it easier to stay for full games. The upgraded grandstand is expected to serve residents for decades and is guiding plans for additional seating and shade as the field continues to function as a central gathering place.

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

New Bedford, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: Long stretches of Buttonwood Park's walkway lacked seating, making walks difficult for older adults and discouraged activity. Friends of Buttonwood Park installed eight benches along the southern half of the park, added wheelchair-accessible slab extensions and created a brochure showing bench locations. The additions make walking easier and more enjoyable, promoting health and social interaction. Residents say the benches let them rest, relax and stay active in the park.

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

Spearfish, SD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: Many older adults living in east Spearfish wanted nearby places to walk or ride that felt manageable and safe, but existing trail options were often too far away or too challenging to reach from home. Spearfish Trails Coalition addressed this gap by building a new trail system that directly connects nearby neighborhoods to Lookout Mountain Park, creating beginner-friendly routes suitable for walking and cycling. The trails were designed to accommodate a wide range of abilities and brought residents together through volunteer trail days and a community ribbon-cutting event. Several older adults shared that the new routes prompted them to return to biking or walking after giving it up because other trails felt too difficult. By linking neighborhoods to open space, the project expanded everyday access to outdoor activity and established a lasting, close-to-home recreation option for older adults.

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