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San Diego, CA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: To organizers with Bayside Community Center, a patch of dirt in Linda Vista Community Park had potential to become something more -- a community garden. First, the nonprofit presented their idea to local community groups to get neighbors' buy-in for the project. Volunteers then worked to transform the space, adding raised garden beds which are available to low- and moderate-income residents to rent. The garden serves a neighborhood considered to be a food desert and Bayside Community Center uses the garden to grow produce for families in need. The space also serves as a gathering space for neighbors, many of whom live in nearby affordable housing complexes. Additionally, organizers say the garden spurred similar projects in other city parks, leading the City of San Diego to consider streamlining its policies governing new community gardens.

Delaware County, OH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: To give older adult residents of an affordable housing complex a space to gather, SourcePoint and Age-Friendly Delaware County created an accessible community garden. Volunteers installed raised beds to enable gardeners to work without needing to kneel down. Additionally, they laid an ADA-complaint crushed gravel path, added accessible benches and erected an aluminum fence around the space. Today, St. Michael's Community Garden hosts programming for gardeners and non-gardeners alike, including healthy cooking classes. Project organizers say the garden has helped combat social isolation, and senior housing residents now grow produce in their own backyard, which helps reduce their grocery bills.

Montclair, NJ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Many older adults lacked outdoor spaces for gardening, limiting chances for physical activity and social connection. The project built four waist-high raised beds with wide ADA-compliant paths and fencing, installed rain barrels and signage, and launched a seven-week gardening course in partnership with Montclair Community Farms. Local scouts helped assemble the garden. Residents have expressed how thrilled they are to have this available, adding that they now have a space that fosters pride and engagement.

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

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Chesapeake, VA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: Hurricanes and flooding pose real risks in the Chesapeake region, yet many residents lacked practical knowledge about evacuation zones or how the City manages emergencies. The Library partnered with emergency officials to host three sessions offered in person and online, supported by disaster kit displays and 200 take-home booklets. A newcomer said she learned what to pack and appreciated being able to ask questions. Attendees left with clearer expectations for preparing and responding, prompting the Library to expand annual programming and reach more older adults.

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

Gloucester, VA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Many patients faced food insecurity, making it harder to manage chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. The clinic launched a food pantry and container garden, partnered with local groups and secured donated refrigerators and a freezer to store fresh produce. This effort began addressing a critical social determinant of health and sparked plans for a "food pharmacy" program tailored to chronic conditions.

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

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