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Downtown Lynchburg Association (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
To organizers with the Downtown Lynchburg Association, an underused, dead-end street had potential to draw visitors downtown. The Association transformed the space into Art Alley -- a vibrant, outdoor art gallery. To activate the space, volunteers covered the pavement in turquoise, orange, pink and green paint. They also set up string lights overhead to provide illumination. Finally, they created the Spark Joy Gallery by installing panels that display digital artworks. Project organizers say the placemaking effort has since inspired nearby property owners to spruce up their building facades, and the Art Alley has become a must-see for tourists passing through town.
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See More Projects Like This One
Monroe, GA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To give people an outdoor space to socialize in the heart of downtown, the City of Monroe transformed its visitor center's concrete patio into a new mini-park. The City brightened up the area by adding planters, seating, outdoor games and a mural painted by local youth. The City then unveiled the new space during the local fall festival. Additionally, project organizers made enhancements to the existing hammock park located next to the visitor's center. The site offers visitors a spot to relax in one of several hammocks. To accommodate more foot traffic, the City added bench swings and pergolas for shade. Inspired by the visitor center improvements, nearby businesses put out their own planters by their storefronts. Project organizers say the upgrades helped lift the spirits of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Woodbury, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: A vacant parking lot in downtown Woodbury offered no safe or inviting space for residents to gather. The FAF transformed it into LOT 323, a pop-up park with seating, shade, lighting and ADA-accessible features. The space hosted concerts, wellness events and live mural painting, drawing thousands and boosting volunteer engagement among older adults. "These events made me want to get involved," said one resident. The city has committed to continuing LOT 323 while plans for redevelopment move forward.
Wailuku, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project will transform a public space into an accessible gathering area with chairs and tables for people of all ages and abilities.
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Lynchburg, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This wayfinding project will help residents and the school community navigate the shared public space. It aims to activate the underutilized schoolyard, fostering intergenerational engagement.
Amherst, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Older adults lacked inclusive, low-impact recreation options, and temporary courts limited year-round play. The county built a permanent bocce court with ADA features, including a hinged entry for mobility aids, and added benches and equipment. A grand opening introduced the court to the community, creating a safe space for social connection and physical activity. The design reduces fall risks and fosters inclusion. One participant using a walker said she was thrilled with the ease of accessing the court, underscoring its role in helping residents stay active and engaged.
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