Christiansted, VI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: This project will develop plans for an accessible green space at Sunday Market Square. This project aims to foster resilience, food security, and healthy aging by creating a welcoming environment for older adults and families.

Albuquerque, NM

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: The Barelas Community Coalition hoped to create a welcoming, multigenerational gathering space to allow community members to eat, play, and learn together. The organization constructed a shade structure, added a bench, installed solar lighting and displayed signage at a public courtyard. The outdoor area is part of the Las Esquinita complex, an indoor commercial space that includes a small food hall and artisan market. It is also located next to a new food truck park, which the Coalition helps manage. Today, the space serves as a public art venue where resident can communicate their ideas, wants and feelings alongside an existing mural. Project organizers say the project helped secure long-term support for their activation efforts and allowed the community to rally around local revitalization activities.

Richford, VT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: This project will support efforts to create a welcome center at a downtown outdoor space. The new space will feature seating, raised garden beds and a community food pantry, which will offer residents free produce grown onsite.