See More Projects Like This One

Opelika, AL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Organizers with Opelika Main Street hoped to draw more visitors downtown. To do this, they activated an underused public space by adding outdoor games. Volunteers installed a giant, colorful chess and checkers set, suitable for people of all ages to enjoy. Organizers say the new game center represents a safe place for residents of all ages to gather.

Rapid City, SD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: To increase awareness of the local book club and other community activities, NeighborWorks designed and installed 30 flags in the North Rapid neighborhood. A local artists created designs for the flags and residents worked together to approve wording for each one. Volunteers then installed flags on utility poles throughout the neighborhood. Project organizers say that since the flags appeared, local groups have received inquiries about how to become more involved in local activities.

Wheeling, WV

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Wheeling Heritage turned a vacant downtown lot into a pocket park, giving residents and older adults a safe, inviting place to gather. Volunteers helped install benches, garden beds, game tables and art features, along with pet-friendly amenities and lighting. The park now offers a quiet spot for relaxation and recreation and is expected to complement nearby plaza events. A local business owner said, "It's great to see others taking pride in the positive momentum happening at Market Plaza."

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

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Ossipee, NH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Emergency preparedness skills

Description: Frequent severe storms left older adults in remote homes vulnerable during evacuations or prolonged isolation. To boost preparedness, the group distributed 215 rolling backpacks stocked with essentials like weather radios, flashlights and water purification tablets at town events. It also provided checklists and registry sign-ups for residents with special needs. Participants said the effort made them feel empowered to plan ahead, and requests for similar programs have come from other communities as organizers work to expand the initiative.

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

North Conway, NH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Lifelong housing and accessibility

Description: To help homeowners with extra space in their homes find potential tenants, the Gibson Center created a website. The site features information about homesharing, as well as the option for people looking for rooms to rent to match with those with space to share. Modeled after successful homesharing initiatives in other states, the new homesharing service provides reference screenings and background checks, as well as a guide through New Hampshire's landlord-tenant laws.

LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED

Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages

people icon

Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities

download icon

Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter

mail icon

Don't see your community listed?

LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORK

Connect with your AARP State Office

AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP New Hampshire State Office

45 South Main Street
Suite 202
Concord, NH 03301
United States

Phone: 866-542-8168
Fax: 603-224-6212
Email: [email protected]