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Epicenter (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
As Epicenter worked to complete its Canal Commons affordable housing development, organizers set out to create an accessible greenspace for future residents. Located in the desert city of Green River, the pocket neighborhood lacks access to walking trails, sidewalks and parks. To address this, Epicenter installed concrete walkways. To allow residents to gather outdoors at night -- and avoid the hot, desert sun -- organizers installed LED lighting along the path. Wayfinding signage helps residents navigate the path, as well as the larger neighborhood. The space also features a picnic table, ADA-compliant benches and raised garden beds. Epicenter prioritized universal design elements for the greenspace to ensure people can age in place at Canal Commons.
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Berea, SC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Greenville County's Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department created a backyard space to the Berea Community Center. A new walking path loop connects the center to new amenities, with include swinging benches, horseshoe pits and a community garden space. The site also features improved landscaping. Project organizers constructed beds for the gardens at a variety of heights -- including three wheelchair-accessible pull-up beds -- to accommodate visitors of different ability levels.
San Diego, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The alleys in the Normal Heights neighborhood of San Diego were underused and unsafe, with broken pavement and no inviting public spaces for older adults or families. To change that, the association painted two large murals celebrating nature and intergenerational engagement, repaved the alley for safe passage and hosted a pop-up event that drew nearly 300 residents to share ideas for future improvements. The murals and resurfacing transformed the alley into a vibrant, accessible space and prompted the city to prioritize alley upgrades. One resident said the murals "invite you to explore the alley for a closer look."
Lemmon, SD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Older adults in Lemmon lacked accessible spaces to rest or gather, and the Palace Theater offered no easy entry for those with mobility challenges. To address this, the arts council installed a movable parklet with seating and a ramp, creating a welcoming spot for walkers and hosting monthly arts events like wool-spinning workshops and live music during the town celebration. The project proved the value of public gathering spaces, sparking plans for permanent bump-outs and green space.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Green River, UT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing
Description: Epicenter conducted outreach to older residents about their housing needs, with the goal informing the design of its Frontier House prototype. Costing 36,000, Epicanter envisions the small home as an affordable alternative to mobile homes, where many rural residents live. The 708-square-foot home -- scaled to the minimum house size allowed by City code -- prioritizes accessibility. Designed to be low maintenance, the house is meant to enable residents to age in place in their community. Epicenter plans to monitor the structure for three years to track its utility usage and durability. The nonprofit also uses the prototype as a teaching tool within the community. The nonprofit works to close the housing affordability gap for low-to-moderate income households in rural Utah through home repair and new housing construction.
Green River, UT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Green River lacked a quiet, accessible park for older adults, as existing spaces focused on sports. Pearl Baker Park was designed to fill that gap, offering shaded seating, soft-surface paths and educational signage. Epicenter hosted a kickoff event and bilingual arts workshop to activate the space, engaging volunteers to build features like birdhouses. Work began on a pavilion that frames scenic views and supports safe mobility for older adults. The project sparked community involvement and laid the groundwork for expansion into adjacent affordable housing, creating more opportunities to age in place. "I love visiting this park with my grandkids... there are plenty of places for me to sit and watch them," said one participant.
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