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Fulton Block Builders (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
A neglected downtown gazebo was long in disrepair, eroding community pride and limiting public use. Volunteers revived it by cleaning, painting and adding flowers, trees and banners, turning it into a centerpiece. Older adults led improvements to 17 public gardens and created a new logo displayed on garden flags citywide. The effort reignited civic spirit, prompting the return of the Fulton Garden Club after 15 years. "Wow that looks great... You guys are the best! Thank you for caring," said one resident. Plans for more projects are already underway.
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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See More Projects Like This One
Lawrence, KS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Residents in an affordable housing community faced food insecurity and limited access to gardening. Home Works USA improved its garden by adding raised beds for accessibility, installing fencing to deter deer and hosting a free indoor farmers market for older adults and neighbors. Volunteers of all ages worked together, sharing skills and building relationships. The upgrades created a safer, more inviting space for intergenerational gardening and fresh food distribution. One volunteer commented that he and others were excited to finally get back to gardening again.
Providence, RI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project will teach older adults at the West End Community Center about Straw Bale Gardening, a cost-effective method to grow vegetables safely despite contaminated soil.
Millersburg, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Gardeners faced a cumbersome irrigation setup that required long walks and manual water activation, making maintenance difficult for older adults. The borough installed a permanent underground water line and yard hydrant near the garden entrance, replacing a temporary hose system. This upgrade simplified watering and boosted accessibility. The garden now produces thousands of pounds of organic food for local distribution, and participants anticipate expanded use for therapeutic gardening. One gardener said, "Watering is SO much easier now" and noted how lack of water pressure had made garden upkeep difficult prior to the project.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Syracuse, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places
Description: Older adults in six public housing buildings faced isolation and limited access to health and safety information. To bridge this gap, the Housing Authority equipped each community room with projectors, screens and accessories, enabling interactive events and educational programs. Kick-off sessions featured fraud prevention workshops and showcased the new technology. These upgrades transformed shared spaces into hubs for learning and social connection, empowering tenant associations to host health fairs, movie nights and presentations that help residents stay informed and engaged.
Phelps, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: The Phelps Business Development and Tourism Council will hold a design competition for accessory dwelling units and tiny homes, focusing on affordable and accessible housing for adults 50+. The competition will involve educational opportunities, marketing, and community engagement to envision new housing options in Ontario County.
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