Harrisburg, PA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Vacant lots in Harrisburg's Allison Hill neighborhood -- which make up about a third of the neighborhood's land area -- were overgrown with weeds and debris, attracted crime and often served as illegal dumping sites. To address this, the Tri County Community Organization set out to clean up eight lots. Volunteers cleared the sites of debris, installed fencing and planted low-maintenance grass that only grows to six inches in height. This project opens up the space so that there's no place to hide for crime, so this project really helps to bring beauty to the neighborhood, Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator Donnell Brown said. Now that the lots are cleaned up, project organizers hope the spaces will help raise property values, as well as provide residents with a gathering space.

Ossipee, NH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: This project built a covered pavilion with benches to provide shade and a gathering place.

Driggs, ID

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: The City of Driggs hoped to attract residents of all ages to Driggs' new downtown plaza, already home to a popular bocce ball court. The solution Add games. Project organizers set up a concrete foosball table and chess table. They also added chairs built to withstand the elements. A ribbon cutting ceremony drew locals, and now the plaza sees at least 10 people a day playing the interactive games.