Greenfield, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: The City of Greenfield removed 250-square-feet of asphalt from a downtown parking lot, converting it to a pocket park -- a space for people instead of cars. The Fiske Avenue Pocket Park features benches, a chess table, a bike repair station, a pollinator garden and a quirky bee sculpture. Project organizers say the new, centrally located green space supportz a central goal of the city's Sustainable Master Plan: to create a vibrant, walkable downtown. Additionally, removing the asphalt supported efforts to mitigate stormwater runoff. The project's success also helped the City secure a 200,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation.

Mansfield, OH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Mansfield's Carrousel District was cut off from the city's newly created Imagination District. To demonstrate the value of connecting the two downtown areas, the Richland Community Development Corporation created a temporary linear park along West Third Street. Organizers hoped the long, narrow park would double as a community gathering pace and pedestrian pathway. The CDC installed benches, pergolas and hammocks and outfitted. Volunteers laid down artificial turf and painted murals onto the pavement. To attract people to the space, the pop-up included activities including self defense classes, interactive art exhibits, children's storytimes, food trucks and live music performances. The two-week activation was part of the CDC's efforts to advocate for a permanent linear park, which organizers say will bring vibrancy to the Carrousel District and reintegrate it into the fabric of Mansfield's downtown.

Burlington, VT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Pandemic restrictions exposed the lack of safe outdoor spaces for older adults in Burlington, leaving them with temporary plastic chairs and no accessible options. The center converted parking spaces and lawn into a permanent patio featuring wheelchair-friendly raised beds, cedar benches, heavy-duty tables and chairs, privacy screens and decorative planters. Volunteers built and installed everything, creating a vibrant setting for meals, games and performances. The space now supports gardening and social connection while offering a long-term solution for distancing during health crises. "It's just so beautiful. I really love sitting outside and listening to the birds," said one participant.

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