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Hyde County Parks and Recreation (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Park enhancements
└ Park enhancements
When Highmore's aging pool closed, older adults lost a safe space for exercise and social connection. With a median age of 55, the community rallied to build a new pool designed for accessibility, featuring zero-depth entry, an ADA lift, heated water and shaded seating. A new bathhouse with accessible restrooms and showers was added, along with benches and shade structures. Residents say the project restored pride and will support water aerobics, lap swimming and physical therapy, creating a vital resource for health and community life.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Canistota, SD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Canistota's Stalting Park had sat unused, limiting opportunities for social connection and recreation. The city built a heated picnic shelter that doubles as a warming house and Farmers Market venue, added an ADA-compliant water fountain and created a raised planting bed. These upgrades complement pickleball and ice-skating facilities, offering low-impact exercise and gathering spaces. The shelter now hosts reunions and school events and will expand the Farmers Market. Residents describe the joy of watching children skate and the peace of sitting in the park. One older adult shared, "I love to just sit in the swing... to listen to the birds or just enjoy the beauty of Stalting Park."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Foley, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Organizers thought Foley Park -- a small green space next to a middle school -- had untapped potential. Foley Main Street and the City of Foley transformed the park into a local music destination. Redubbing the space Freenotes Harmony Park, Foley Main Street installed a collection of outdoor musical instruments, including contrabass chimes, an orange swirl, a yellow imbraimba and rainbow drums. The instruments are designed to be easy to play -- similar to a xylophone, the imbarimba has 22 fiberglass keys of varying lengths, which sit atop metal chimes. Visitors can play the instrument by striking the keys with the attached mallets. The instruments weren't the only upgrade to the pocket park. The City also assed an amphitheater with lights, power outlets and an ADA-compliant stage. Since their installation, the instruments have created an outdoor classroom for middle school students on weekdays, as well as a gathering place for residents of all ages on evenings and weekends.
Sitka, AK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: This project will revitalize Crescent Harbor Park, adding a pickleball court, tennis, and volleyball facilities. This project will enhance accessibility and safety, promoting active living and well-being for older adults and visitors.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Rapid City, SD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Visitors in busy community spaces often had no place to sit, leaving people without a comfortable spot to rest during walks or long visits. To address this, the group partnered with a welding class to design and build two ADA-compliant benches, which were finished with powder coating and installed on new concrete pads. Placing them in the market park created the only seating in that area and offered shaded resting spots for people spending time there. Members said the project helped them recognize broader unmet needs in their community and inspired future efforts. One volunteer noted that the benches were placed in "perfect shaded areas", making the park easier for people to enjoy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Brookings, SD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: The project will rebuild restrooms in a downtown building to create fully accessible, clearly signed public restrooms. The improved facilities will provide residents and visitors with a safe, comfortable option while spending time in the city center.
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