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El Rito Library (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
This project upgraded thearea around the library by clearly separating parking from other areas with stanchions. Volunteers also added a sandbox, benches and a bicycle repair station.
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See More Projects Like This One
Columbia, SC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: As part of efforts to activate space and increase the vitality of Columbia's downtown, this project created the city's first parklet. Parklets transform on-street parking spaces into public gathering spaces. Originally intended to be temporary, Columbia's miniature park consists of a ground-level, fenced-in deck featuring an art installation, a cafe table and chairs and new planters. While several nearby restaurants lack outdoor seating space, the parklet remedied this, giving visitors a space to eat and socialize. To gather public feedback about the new space, city staff displayed a QR code onsite, which linked to an online survey. Spurred by the success of this project, organizers made plans to add more parklets downtown. City staff have also looked into creating a parklet ordinance, which would allow local businesses to create similar spaces in the future.
Evanston, WY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project will install outdoor game tables in popular public spaces. The tables will feature an accessible design, allowing residents of all ages and abilities to use them.
Litchfield, NH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project will install a removable aluminum dock with a ramp at Darrah Pond in Roy Memorial Park, providing accessible fishing opportunities for older adults and people with disabilities.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Dixon, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To draw visitors to a park on the grounds of Dixon's local library, the Embudo Valley Library and Community Center installed picnic tables and benches at the site. In 2019, the library distributed a survey and hosted focus groups with residents to determine the community's needs, with seating emerging as a top priority. The community center commissioned local artists and craftspeople to create the tables and benches, which are ADA-compliant. One of the tables is located in the library's fruit orchard, near a traditional irrigation ditch known as an acequia. Project organizers say they chose the location to honor the community's cultural heritage. In the future, Center staff envision putting the benches and tables to use during local events, including the annual Fiesta de Santa Rosa.
Taos, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: This project will upgrade a farm that hosts agricultural and therapeutic activities for military veterans and other residents. The organization will install an ADA-compliant walking trail, add tables and benches and restore a wetland area.
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