AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (2018) Print
2018 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority saw an opportunity to revitalize an abandoned volleyball court behind one of their public housing buildings, creating a space to bring residents together and address social isolation. Using input from the residents of Riverview Tower, an apartment building for low-income older adults, they created a garden where residents can grow their own fruits and vegetables. The garden has places to sit and features accessibility features for residents with mobility challenges. Additionally, the space includes sensory areas, which allow visitors to smell, touch and taste herbs, fruits and berries.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Santaquin, UT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The city will transform an undeveloped one-acre parcel into a neighborhood pocket park and community garden. The space will include seating, paths and gathering areas for residents, especially nearby older adults.
Kihei, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Central Maui faces high food costs and limited access to local produce, leaving many residents concerned about rising grocery bills and few places to learn sustainable growing practices. Grow Some Good expanded the Na Mala Kaiaulu agroforest by planting fruit trees and native plants, adding ADA benches and hosting workshops for adults age 50-plus that blended cultural knowledge with gardening skills. Volunteers helped guide planting decisions and shape programming. As the canopy grows, the space will offer more shade and produce, helping households facing food insecurity. One participant said the farm provides a healing place that strengthens family resilience.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
North Adams, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Accessibility upgrades will improve paths, seating and gathering areas in a small neighborhood park. Student led construction will help create a safer place to rest, walk and meet neighbors close to home.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Cleveland, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: Cleveland's Department of Aging and Bike Cleveland partnered to create opportunities for older adults to explore alternative forms of transportation and recreational activity. They created Silver Spokes, a free cycling program for older adults. Bike Cleveland purchased four age-friendly bikes, as well as bicycle lights and helmets. Additionally, they hosted sessions throughout the city to teach older adults safety rules of the road. They also offered short, guided rides.
Cleveland, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The May Dugan Center, which serves low-income older adults in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood, hoped to create a welcoming gathering space for its Seniors on the Move program. To make the Center's outdoor area accessible, organizers outfitted the space with four ADA-compliant picnic tables. Additionally, the Center provided program participants with herb garden kits, allowing them to create windowsill gardens in their homes. Ultimately, organizers hope experience tending the kits will help SOTM participants hone their gardening skills, which they will use to plant flower beds and raised vegetable plots at the Center. This project is part of the nonprofit's larger mission to help older adults manage their financial, physical and emotional wellbeing, allowing them to safely age in place.
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 Ohio State Office
17 S. High Street
Suite 800
Columbus, OH 43215
United States