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Fayetteville Housing Authority (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
The outdoor space at Hillcrest Towers -- an affordable housing complex for older adults -- were in disrepair and didn't meet residents' accessibility needs. To fix this, the Fayetteville Housing Authority replaced aging an aging pergola and a gazebo onsite. They also installed accessible seating and a picnic table to encourage residents to walk and socialize. New solar lighting made the space useable even after dark. To complete the improvements, volunteers beautified the grounds, planting native, edible foliage. Organizers say the work allowed neighbors from the community to engage with Hillcrest Towers residents. In the future, the Authority plans to host events in the space, including movie nights.
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Marshalltown, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Public space activation
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Imperial, NE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: A vacant lot in the heart of Imperial's downtown had been an eyesore for decades. To put the space to better use, the City of Imperial activated the space, creating a new pocket park. Volunteers helped create several murals onsite and installed a mosaic dragon sculpture, designed to double as a play structure for children. Using upcycled existing picnic tables and railroad ties, they also created a circular seating area, dubbed the chatroom. Local elementary school students and residents of an assisted living facility teamed up to paint tiles to decorate outdoor sectional couch. And volunteers laid down artificial turf -- a material chosen to make the mini-park easy to maintain. Raised flower beds completed the space. Since the mini-park's completion, organizers say community members continue to brainstorm ways to improve the pocket park, which they say has revitalized Imperial's arts scene.
Columbia, SC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Public space activation
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Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Fayetteville, AR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Lifelong housing and accessibility
Description: Sources for Community Independent Living Services provides support and advocacy for individuals with disabilities, their families and the larger community through classes and training. The organization hosted an open house showcasing accessible home design features for aging in place. Participants were able to walk through a home with modifications. Additionally, a film crew documented the event and created two short videos featuring a multigenerational family discussing their experience remodeling their home for greater accessibility. The organization also created an informational poster to promote lifelong housing, distributed 3,000 brochures and held an educational event about lifelong housing with the Northwest Arkansas Home Builders Association.
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