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Fort Lawn Community Center (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
In a rural area with few recreational options and high rates of chronic disease, the Center created an ADA-compliant mini park with picnic tables, benches, bike racks and a gazebo with swings. Concrete paths improved wheelchair access, and signage guided visitors. The space now hosts multigenerational activities, from picnics for older adults to pop-up markets. One resident said, "It's good for my soul to be able to just come sit out here with friends. We're safe and it's beautiful."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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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."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Jackson, MS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Part of wider efforts to beautify the South Jackson neighborhood, this project activated several vacant lots, turning them into community gardens, creative market spaces and pocket parks. The revitalization initiative also added seating and landscaping at a bus stop, painted a mural and made repairs to housing subdivision entrances. Community members volunteered to help with the efforts. In recent years, South Jackson has struggled with business closures and vacant housing. In a letter to the community, Coalition Executive Director Bennie Hudson wrote, We must do something about this for ourselves as elders and adults, but even more for our children and youth. In the future, project organizers hope to set up a homeowners association for the neighborhood to support ongoing maintenance and future improvements.
Grand Forks, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: As part of its mission to connect the community, the Grand Forks Public Library created an intergenerational music playground on its grounds. A group of older adult volunteers helped select all-weather musical instruments and installed them on a concrete slab. Since the installation, the project has brought adults and children together, demonstrating the value of activating underused public spaces. Additionally, the playground has strengthened the library's relationship with a nearby senior housing community. Project organizers say the musical instruments offer psychological and health benefits for older adults, such as reduced stress, improved mood and greater cognitive skills.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
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.
Rock Hill, SC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Lifelong housing and accessibility
Description: The Housing Development Corporation addressed home safety risks that made it harder for older adults to remain in their homes as mobility needs changed. Limited access to small but critical modifications, such as bathroom supports and safe entryways, increased fall risk and daily strain. The project installed grab bars and transition mats in several homes, with volunteers assisting to ensure installations were safe and functional. The work also launched an "Aging in Place" program and established partnerships with local groups to help identify needs and extend outreach. One homeowner shared, "Now that I have the grab bar, it makes it much easier to get my husband and his wheelchair in and out of our home." These immediate improvements made daily tasks safer while creating a framework for ongoing home accessibility support beyond the initial installations.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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