Mattapan, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Older adults and residents with mobility challenges faced hazards and limited access at two Boston community gardens. A collapsed walkway created unsafe conditions, and deteriorated raised beds prevented those with physical limitations from gardening. The Trustees repaired the walkway by filling a sinkhole and installing a wide, level brick path at Southwest Corridor Community Farm. At Savin & Maywood Community Garden, they demolished broken beds and built four new handicapped-accessible raised beds with help from volunteers. Residents expressed gratitude, noting the upgrades made the gardens welcoming for "gardeners of all ages and abilities."

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

Bartlesville, OK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: An accessible garden featuring raised beds, shaded seating and cultural gardening activities will be created at a community center. The space will support access to fresh food and give residents age 50-plus active roles as growers and teachers.

Mobile, AL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: When the Mobile Medical Museum added a medicinal garden to its campus, the space included a a wooden boardwalk. However, older adults and people with disabilities struggles to navigate the boardwalk. This project made the garden ADA-compliant. Organizers removed the boardwalk and repaved and widened a crumbling concrete path leading to the garden. The garden -- which features medicinal herbs -- hosts community events, as well as art and horticultural therapy classes for people with disabilities and their families.