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Friends of Jensen-Olson Arboretum (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Accessibility of amenities
└ Accessibility of amenities
Uneven terrain kept visitors with mobility challenges from exploring the public garden, limiting older adults' access to nature and scenic views. The group built an ADA-compliant path of precast pavers leading to a bench overlooking the gardens and ocean. They also added wide steps to manage slope. Volunteers landscaped adjoining beds, and a ribbon-cutting drew 75 guests, including wheelchair and walker users. The path is a permanent improvement that opens the arboretum to residents and strengthens community ties. One guest said, "To have the arboretum now be a place which I can easily access in my wheelchair and feel truly welcome is a wonderful gift."
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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Providence, RI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: This project will install handrails along the concrete ramp and stairs at Knight Memorial Library, enhancing safety and accessibility for older adults and individuals using canes, walkers, or wheelchairs.
Heflin, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: Uneven terrain and lack of ADA-compliant access made visiting the farmers market difficult for older adults and people with disabilities. The project installed new sidewalks linking the market to parking areas and paved the lot to include accessible spaces, creating safer entry points. Volunteers helped complete the work, and a ribbon-cutting marked the transformation. Visitors expressed gratitude, noting the improvements allow wheelchair users and others to enjoy fresh produce and social connections without navigating mud or uneven ground.
Kansas City, KS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: Kansas City lacked seating in parks, bus stops and social service areas, leaving older adults without safe places to rest during long waits or walks. Deferred maintenance and concentrated development deepened this gap, especially in Justice40 neighborhoods. The project installed 12 benches, including buddy benches, at six parks across five neighborhoods, adding concrete pads and memorial plaques for durability. These benches improve comfort, accessibility and community connectedness while advancing the city's Community for All Ages initiative. "It may seem like a small thing... but many of our public spaces do not have places for people to sit," said one of the project planners.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
AK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing
Description: Alaska faces a fast-growing older population and a shortage of affordable housing, yet many municipalities lack ordinances for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). To address this, the league researched statewide policies, created a best practices guide and ordinance template, and shared strategies through targeted outreach. The effort prompted interest from local leaders, with communities planning ADU ordinances and requesting technical assistance. "We loved having an easy-to-read publication that was Alaska specific", one council member said, underscoring how the project simplified complex housing issues and accelerated local action.
Juneau, AK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Steep terrain and thick tree cover make gardening in Thane difficult, limiting residents' ability to grow their own food. To address this, organizers with the Thane Community Garden Association found a flat, sunny piece of land at an unused hatchery -- perfect for a new garden. Part of larger efforts to create small community gardens throughout the area, this project added accessible garden beds, fencing and a tool shed to the site. Organizers say the space will support the Association's education program, which teaches residents about gardening and nutrition. One resident said the garden is "going to change the nature of Thane for the good."
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