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District 6 Planning Council (2020) Print
2020 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Park enhancements
└ Park enhancements
After a survey of North End residents revealed a need for additional seating in the Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary, the District 6 Planning Council installed benches along the site's accessible walkways. A local artist designed each bench to depict colorful animals, including a blue and orange turtle, a bright orange otter, a red rabbit and a yellow and green frog. Project organizers say they hope to give visitors a place to rest, enjoy the outdoors and make social connections.
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See More Projects Like This One
Dayton, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: CityWide transformed a vacant lot into a new, more inviting entrance to Welcome Park in Dayton's Carillon neighborhood. The organization cleared overgrowth and dead trees from the site, replaced fencing and installed new informational signs. To give visitors a spot to rest, they placed benches along the park's walking path. CityWide also widened the entrance to conform to Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards. Throughout the project, CityWide gathered feedback and ideas from residents. A community-led branding effort informed the design of the park's new sign, as well as a dedication plaque honoring a local advocate. Project organizers say they hope this project serves as a model for meaningful community engagement as the community plans for future park improvements.
Casper, WY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Casper lacked a memorial honoring Wyoming residents who died in combat. The Legion built a tribute with engraved panels, granite benches, flagpoles, lighting and smooth concrete for wheelchair access. A dedication ceremony featured Gold Star families and community volunteers. One niece said she was "crying in gratitude" after finding her uncles' names, underscoring the memorial's emotional impact and its role as a lasting place for reflection.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Central Falls, RI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: To allow for more community events in Veterans Memorial Park, the City of Central Falls purchased two canopies to shade visitors from the sun. The City then set up the all-weather canopies at a series of events held in the park, including a picnic, Zumba gatherings and ice cream socials. Project organizers say the canopies will allow them to expand outdoor programming aimed at older adult residents.
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St. Paul, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places
Description: St. Paul's North End, originally settled around 1850, once was a magnet for European immigrants who worked for the railroads. In the late 1900s the neighborhood became a haven for migrants from Laos, Somalia and Burma, making it one of the most diverse places in Minnesota. The District 6 Planning Council, a local community organization that later changed its name to the North End Neighborhood Association, wanted a way to convey multilingual community and events information to residents who don't use the internet. The organization purchased five message boards and install them at two community gardens, at an outdoor seating area by an ice cream shop and in other locations.
St. Paul, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project installed a garden with native and pollinator-friendly plants at a local elementary school. Residents -- including a neighborhood Boy Scout troop -- pitched in to prepare the site and plant foliage. Community members have continued to tend to the garden since its installation. Spurred by the success of the garden, school staff area considering planting more native gardens in the future -- including rain gardens to absorb stormwater runoff.
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