See More Projects Like This One

Rio Arriba County, NM

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: Many residents in Vallecitos live without high-speed internet or even cellphone service. Because of these coverage gaps, the Vallecitos Library and Community Center is one of the only places people can get online to access community services and socialize with their neighbors. To make the facility more accessible for people of all ages, the library built a covered walkway and footbridge that connects from the parking lot into the building. This project installed metal panels and support posts, which allow the walkway to withstand high winds, provide shade from the sun and shield residents from rain.

Victor, ID

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: To help residents with mobility challenges access its facilities, the Valley of the Tetons Library received new stairs and an outdoor gathering area. Organizers replaced the old, uneven stairs with a new staircase featuring steps that are a uniform size and shape, a larger landing and safety railings. Additionally, library staff poured a concrete patio and added benches and planters outside the library's entrance. This created an outdoor area where library patrons can access free Wi-Fi, even when the library is closed for the day. We provide a lot more things than books, program specialist Rasheil Stranger said.

Knik-Fairview, AK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: Settler's Bay Park in Mat-Sui Valley is a sanctuary for residents and tourists seeking to view migratory birds and spawning salmon. To make the park ADA-compliant, the Anchorage Great Land Trust installed an accessible scenic overlook platform with seating. The platform enables park visitors of all ages and abilities to enjoy majestic views of Cook Inlet from the area's only coastal park.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Haigler, NE

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: This project revitalized an abandoned set of basketball and tennis courts, with one of the latter turned into a pickleball court. It also installed ADA-compliant benches and repaired light poles.

Imperial, NE

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: A vacant lot in the heart of Imperial's downtown had been an eyesore for decades. To put the space to better use, the City of Imperial activated the space, creating a new pocket park. Volunteers helped create several murals onsite and installed a mosaic dragon sculpture, designed to double as a play structure for children. Using upcycled existing picnic tables and railroad ties, they also created a circular seating area, dubbed the chatroom. Local elementary school students and residents of an assisted living facility teamed up to paint tiles to decorate outdoor sectional couch. And volunteers laid down artificial turf -- a material chosen to make the mini-park easy to maintain. Raised flower beds completed the space. Since the mini-park's completion, organizers say community members continue to brainstorm ways to improve the pocket park, which they say has revitalized Imperial's arts scene.

LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED

Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages

people icon

Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities

download icon

Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter

mail icon

Don't see your community listed?

LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORK

Connect 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 Nebraska State Office

301 S. 13th Street
Suite 201
Lincoln, NE 68508
United States

Phone: 866-389-5651
Fax: 402-323-6913
Email: [email protected]