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Friends of Downtown Hendersonville (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public art installations
└ Public art installations
Herdersonville has two discrete downtown districts and recently created a safe pedestrian pathway to connect them. Friends of Downtown Hendersonville's initiative beautified the path and dubbed it the Downtown Art Route. First, the organization held an art contest. Then volunteers painted three winning designs onto the path's pavement. The Hendo Bee Line mural depicts pollinator flowers, while another mural features five hands spelling the word Hendo in American Sign Language. A third stretch of sidewalk showcases artwork depicting bears in a mountain landscape. Since the project completed, organizers are looking for locations to install more public art in the future.
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See More Projects Like This One
North Hero, VT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: This project installed a word garden, which features words etched into rocks. The decorative rocks complement raised beds in an existing garden.
Reno, NV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: The placemaking mural project will use art as a catalyst to create collaborative relationships between neighbors and advocate for walkable streets.
Chelsea, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: With the addition of public art, a block of Division Street became a welcoming, safe passageway through downtown Chelsea for pedestrians and cyclists. Community members created 25 pieces of art to adorn the street. Artists painted three full-scale murals, including one created alongside students from a local school, as well as several mini murals. Local older adults also installed art panels. To improve mobility, the City added new sidewalks and repaved the roadway. This project spurred local artists and creatives to form a network and increased support for public art among local property owners. Project organizers say its success represents an important first step to link the heart of downtown with Chelsea's waterfront.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Hendersonville, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: The city will add new bike infrastructure throughout downtown to improve safety and improve connectivity to local attractions. The improvements include sharrows, bike racks and bike repair stations.
Brevard, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project equipped Brevard's new community garden with raised beds. Additionally, volunteers installed benches in the garden, as well as in the nearby skate park and along the Estatoe Trail.
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