Sheridan, WY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Heritage Towers set out to give older adults a place to grow fresh food and spend time outside, addressing the lack of accessible spaces for residents with limited income and mobility. The team built raised beds, added sturdy outdoor seating and organized planting events that helped tenants grow vegetables, herbs and flowers. The harvest supported shared meals that brought people together and encouraged more time on the patio. Tenants said the garden reminded them of growing food when they were younger, and many began volunteering to start seeds for next year. The project prompted more outdoor activity, strengthened social ties and laid the groundwork for a lasting source of fresh produce and connection for residents.

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

Woodbridge, VA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: To create a vibrant public space at the Woodbridge Senior Center, Keep Prince William Beautiful created a vegetable garden onsite. Organizers worked to repair raised beds -- designed to be accessible for gardeners of all ages and abilities -- and fill them with vegetable plants. Additionally, they installed a seating area at the Center's front entrance. All plants grown in the space are native to Northern Virginia and include pollinator-friendly species. The Center plans to cook with vegetables from the garden and organizers hope the improvements give older adults a beautiful outdoor gathering space.

Seaford, DE

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: This project will improve a community garden, adding growing tables, water and soil for older adults who are unable to garden in plots. Expert gardeners will also provide training on growing flowers, herbs and vegetables.

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