Rock Hill, SC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Garden classes for older adults were in high demand, but without an on-site space, participants lacked hands-on experience. The city transformed a courtyard into a pollinator garden by clearing invasive plants, preparing soil and installing beds, a bench and educational signage. Lifelong Learning participants helped plant and maintain the garden, which now enriches classes and fosters community engagement. One volunteer even signed up as a future instructor, showing how the project sparked new connections and expanded opportunities for experiential learning.

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

Lynchburg, VA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: 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.

Evanston, WY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Two historic public spaces in Evanston lacked features that encouraged active use, leaving older adults with few options for social engagement. To change that, the city installed three concrete game tables for ping pong, foosball and chess/checkers, with wheelchair-friendly seating and using donated equipment. Volunteers helped assemble the tables, creating vibrant spaces for low-impact physical and mental activity. The durable tables are expected to draw visitors for years. A project leader said, "The day after the game tables were out, we heard a good story about a community member's granddaughter playing foosball with her dad. She had the best time and couldn't wait to play again."

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