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Community Gardens of Tucson (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
The Blue Moon Community Garden in Tucson is located next a 17-story apartment building with hundreds of residents, many of whom are older adults. However, the garden lacked shade and amenities, including public bathrooms and benches, which discouraged potential volunteers. Community Gardens of Tucson, which manages twenty gardens across the city, installed tables, benches and pop-up shade structures. They also built raised garden beds, improved pathways and added a compostable toilet onsite. The improvements allow garden to offer more diverse programming for community members, which has led to more volunteer engagement.
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Newport, NH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Newport residents lacked outdoor space for gardening and socializing, especially older adults in nearby housing. To address this, the town converted an unused parcel into a community garden with fencing, ADA-compliant walkways and raised beds for 20 families. Volunteers helped prepare the site, creating a space where residents can grow food and flowers, connect with neighbors and enjoy the outdoors. Located near senior housing, the garden offers accessible opportunities for older adults and will host events and donate crops to local food programs.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Wasilla, AK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Organizers with Wasilla Area Seniors hoped their new community garden would be a therapeutic space for older adults. But the garden lacked places to sit and rest. Responding to older adults' requests for seating, project organizers added nine accessible benches to the site's trail and gardens. Additionally, they installed additional raised planters, which allow people of all abilities to garden. The improvements also precipitated the creation of the Mat-Su Seed Library group. Organizers say garden gives older adults a reason to leave their homes and socialize with others.
Isleta Pueblo, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project will provide older adults with a year-round gardening space near the Elder Center and horno bread ovens. It will feature raised beds for growing traditional plants, herbs, and vegetables.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Tucson, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Housing Design Competitions
Description: A middle housing design competition will expand the city library of housing plans. The effort will increase access to smaller, age-friendly housing options.
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.
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