Pagosa Springs, CO

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Pathway upgrades, seating and shade will be added at a community garden site. These improvements will make the garden safer to use and offer hands-on activities that support food access.

Athens, GA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Raised garden beds and benches will be installed in a new community green space. The area will support light gardening, learning and social time for older and disabled neighbors.

San Diego, CA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: To organizers with Bayside Community Center, a patch of dirt in Linda Vista Community Park had potential to become something more -- a community garden. First, the nonprofit presented their idea to local community groups to get neighbors' buy-in for the project. Volunteers then worked to transform the space, adding raised garden beds which are available to low- and moderate-income residents to rent. The garden serves a neighborhood considered to be a food desert and Bayside Community Center uses the garden to grow produce for families in need. The space also serves as a gathering space for neighbors, many of whom live in nearby affordable housing complexes. Additionally, organizers say the garden spurred similar projects in other city parks, leading the City of San Diego to consider streamlining its policies governing new community gardens.