AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
See More Projects Like This One
Casco, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Loon Echo worked to remove barriers that kept many older adults from safely accessing outdoor spaces. The group built a 0.6-mile crushed-gravel loop trail to federal accessibility standards and added ADA-compliant benches, creating a close-to-town option for recreation through open fields and forest. The project also became home to a Story Walk developed with the local library. After construction, a couple using mobility devices walked the new trail and shared their appreciation. The trail expanded access to nature for older adults and set a model for future efforts to improve outdoor accessibility in the region.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Estherville, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: To improve its recreation facilities, the City of Estherville asked residents for their ideas about how to improve local outdoor spaces. In response to this feedback, the City added special playground swings at the community's parks that are suitable for users of various skills, sizes and ages. The generation swings are two swings in one -- a combined adult swing and a swing for babies and toddlers. This enables children to swing face-to-face with their adult.
Pollock Pines, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: This project set out to create a park, where Pollock Pines residents can gather. Following community engagement efforts, organizers with Community Economic Development Association Pollock Pines decided to highlight local history through the greenspace's design, paying tribute to early settlers, the Old West, the Pony Express, wagon trains and the gold mining and logging industries. To give residents a place to exercise, they also incorporated fitness equipment specifically designed for older adults.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Lebanon, IN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Older adults often skipped downtown events because seating was scarce and carrying chairs or umbrellas was difficult. To remove these barriers, the organization introduced the Helping Hub, a mobile cart stocked with folding and collapsible chairs with armrests. It also includes umbrella-cane combos for shade and mobility support and brochures on local services. Volunteers assembled and deployed the cart at events, making gatherings more inclusive. Participants expressed gratitude, saying it felt like "rolling out the welcome mat." The cart will continue to serve future events and is prompting other groups to consider similar accessibility measures.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Lafayette, IN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Neglected lots in the historic Lincoln neighborhood eroded community pride and left older residents feeling disconnected. To restore the sense of connection, the city partnered with a community arts group and residents to create murals based on stories collected from long-time neighbors. Residents helped choose sites and artists, and a dedication event celebrated the transformation of neglected spaces into vibrant art. The project cleared the lot and sparked new investment while fostering connection. One artist even invited a neighbor to add her own brushstrokes. Another artist noticed how neighbors stopped by with encouragement and support, underscoring the sense of ownership and gratitude.
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
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect 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 Indiana State Office
One N. Capitol Avenue
Suite 1275
Indianapolis, IN 46204
United States