AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public art installations
└ Public art installations
The community of Malvern is an art hub for the region, but several spaces in the town were underutilized and aesthetically unappealing for residents and visitors. Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development improved two public corridors, allowing people to gather there. The Wabash Trace Corridor now boasts upcycled metal art panels. Additionally, artists and volunteers transformed an underutilized alley on the east side of Main Street into Malvern's Art Alley. The Art Alley -- which connects Malvern's downtown -- features murals on fences, garage doors and the backs of buildings. An interactive map includes a QR code, which links to a website showing the locations of each piece of public art.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Holdrege, NE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: A long-vacant building in downtown Holdrege left residents without a safe, accessible place to gather. To address this, the foundation created the Midtown Sculpture Garden, adding ADA-compliant seating, tables, decorative lighting, trees and a mural of a Nebraska sunset. Older adults joined a community painting day and quickly embraced the space, which now hosts casual visits and will serve as a venue for art festivals and musical events. "I'm feeling almost giddy with happy feelings when I hear and read about and see the sculpture garden. This will improve the...future for Holdrege," wrote one local resident, reflecting the pride and connection the project has sparked.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Farmington, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Downtown Farmington's alleys lacked safe inviting spaces for cultural engagement, limiting walkability and social connection. The council converted an alley into a pocket park with walking pavers and murals, including a Navajo Code Talker portrait and cultural symbols. Older adults volunteered as guides and storytellers during art walks, sharing local history. The space now hosts jazz nights, art classes and receptions, creating a lasting venue for connection.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Wilmington, DE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Wilmington's aging public art was falling into disrepair, eroding neighborhood pride and cultural history. To address this, the museum launched a six-month Public Art Stewards program, employing eight residents to clean and document 21 works of art and refurbish six pieces. Participants also earned OSHA and CPR certifications plus financial literacy training, building skills for future employment. The effort restored neglected art, improved neighborhood aesthetics and created career pathways. One steward shared, "Public art is so integral to the evolving soul of our city... This program is such a cool path to personal enrichment and future opportunities."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Stanton, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Trails
Description: The Greenbelt walking trail in Stanton is a source community pride, with residents of all ages using the trail. However, the text on the trail's original mile marker signposts have worn off due to age and weather. The Stanton Community Foundation installed new metal mile markers shaped like Dala horses -- small, red wooden horses -- which pay homage to the town's Swedish heritage. The mile markers allow residents to track their progress as they navigate the Greenbelt.
Villisca, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Villisca residents have few nearby recreation options, and older adults in particular needed accessible activities that encourage movement and connection with younger family members. The Villisca Community Betterment Association revitalized the local walking trail and added 20 StoryWalk frames, creating an interactive reading path that supports physical activity and literacy. Volunteers age 50-plus led most of the work, completing trail repairs, landscaping 17 areas and restoring the bridge. The project strengthened community engagement and created a long-term asset that invites repeated visits. One family was moved to restore a memorial to their daughter and attended the ribbon cutting with relatives, showing how the upgraded trail renewed pride in the shared space.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect 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 Iowa State Office
600 E. Court Avenue
Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50309
United States