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Tucson, AZ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: City officials set out to revitalize the underused Francisco Elias Esquer Park, located around the corner from a large public housing community for older adults in Tucson's Barrio Blue Moon neighborhood. To address the needs of locals with disabilities, volunteers installed a wheelchair accessible walking path, benches and a dog comfort station for service animals. They also added passive water harvesting basins to draw birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife. At a planting party for community members -- one of several events to publicize the new amenities -- neighbors spent a day digging in the dirt and enjoying a renewed sense of community.

Frederick, MD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: The city will upgrade a park with equipment to help older adults to build their mobility and stability and reduce their risk of falling. The outdoor area will feature different walking surfaces, allowing visitors to practice foot and ankle control and respond to sensory feedback.

Yankton, SD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: To invite young children and their caregivers to explore Westside Park, the City of Yankton Department of Parks and Recreation created its Born Learning Trail. The City installed a concrete trail in the park and installed signs in English and Spanish along the path. Each sign features activities meant to build language and thinking skills fundamental to child development. To give families a place to rest, project organizers installed picnic tables and benches. The City also commissioned seven local artists to decorate the trail's pavement with artwork related to the activities.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Grand Junction, CO

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: Mesa County public library staff had repurposed a lot next to the central library building into a discovery garden for residents of all ages to enjoy. This project made accessibility upgrades to the downtown Grand Junction space. First, mulch covering the site made maneuvering difficult for people with mobility challenges. To make pathways in the garden ADA-compliant, volunteers replaced the mulch with decomposed granite. They also added benches adorned with nature scenes to beautify the garden and give visitors a place to sit. Each bench has a unique design theme: mineral, plant, animal and water. Project organizers say the improvements have made the garden more inviting and accessible for visitors.

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