See More Projects Like This One

Trinidad, CO

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: The museum's gardens had deteriorated, limiting educational programs and community use in a town facing food insecurity. To address this, the museum restored its historic grounds with LED solar path lights, ADA-compliant benches, wheelchair-accessible picnic tables and raised garden beds. Interpretive signage was added to connect the gardens with exhibits. These improvements created a welcoming space for learning and gathering, offering older adults accessible seating and gardening opportunities. A visitor expressed excitement about the changes, saying they look forward to enjoying the new herb and vegetable gardens.

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

Urbana, IL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: The City of Urbana wanted to ensure its community gardens included accessibility features, allowing people of all ages to use them. The city's Arts and Culture Program conducted a needs assessment of five gardens through the Growing Community Initiative. The assessment identified needed upgrades to ensure accessibility, such as shade, accessible seating, tool availability and public safety interventions. They then installed shade sails, tool lending libraries and ADA-compliant benches. Additionally, organizers partnered with local artists to hold a workshop to create peace poles. The public art pieces are now on display in one of Urbana's gardens, located a neighborhood that had been impacted by gun violence.

Pearl City, HI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: An overgrown lot at Pearl City High School left older adults without a welcoming place to gather. Volunteers cleared one acre and built "The Haven" with raised beds, tropical orchards, a pumpkin patch, picnic areas and a deck for classes. Festivals, workdays and workshops co-led by students and older adults turned the space into a hub for connection and learning. The school created a coordinator role to sustain the garden, and partnerships are advancing solar-powered irrigation and plans for outdoor classrooms and specialized gardens. The project will help spur long-term benefits to the community.

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

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Tucson, AZ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Bikeability

Description: Older adults with disabilities in Southern Arizona faced barriers to exercise and recreation, limiting opportunities for health and social connection. To address this, the organization launched the Eduardo Aguirre Adaptive Cycling Center, installing storage containers and creating a wheelchair-accessible site with a fleet of adaptive bikes. More than 300 people, including 200 age 50-plus, have used the center for rides and training. Participants report renewed confidence and joy. One woman, age 72, said she now feels supported and can ride with friends again.

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

Tucson, AZ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: Extreme heat poses serious risks for older adults who may not know how quickly heat stress develops. The Council held two trainings where attendees learned practical ways to stay safe, including early warning signs and low-cost cooling strategies, supported by materials from county health partners and the American Red Cross. Participants said they were thrilled to gain new guidance. The effort encouraged neighbors to share tips and allowed the Council to continue distributing remaining educational materials.

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

LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED

Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages

people icon

Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities

download icon

Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter

mail icon

Don't see your community listed?

LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORK

Connect with your AARP State Office

AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP Arizona State Office

7250 N 16th Street
Suite 302
Phoenix, AZ 85020
United States

Phone: 866-389-5649
Fax: 602-256-2928
Email: [email protected]