Inkom Revitalization Commission (2025) Print

star-24px 2025 AARP Community Challenge Grantee

Project Category

Public places
└ Park enhancements
Inkom had limited options for low-impact recreation that encouraged residents, including older adults, to stay active together in a shared space. The Inkom Revitalization Commission addressed this by building a new pickleball court in a central park already used for walking and daily activity. The project required coordination with city leaders, volunteers and local businesses to install the concrete pad, playing surface, lines and net needed for regular play. The completed court created a durable space where older adults and other residents can exercise, socialize and return often. Community response was strong enough that city leaders began pursuing funding for a second court, extending the project's impact. A student who led the effort described the process as demanding but rewarding, pointing to a lasting sense of accomplishment once the court was finished.

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

See More Projects Like This One

Epicenter (2023)

Green River, UT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: Green River lacked a quiet, accessible park for older adults, as existing spaces focused on sports. Pearl Baker Park was designed to fill that gap, offering shaded seating, soft-surface paths and educational signage. Epicenter hosted a kickoff event and bilingual arts workshop to activate the space, engaging volunteers to build features like birdhouses. Work began on a pavilion that frames scenic views and supports safe mobility for older adults. The project sparked community involvement and laid the groundwork for expansion into adjacent affordable housing, creating more opportunities to age in place. "I love visiting this park with my grandkids... there are plenty of places for me to sit and watch them," said one participant.

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

Town of Warrenton (2020)

Warrenton, VA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: To guide redevelopment of Eva Walker Park, this project developed a master plan to guide improvements to the beloved community space. Goals in the plan include enhancing a popular sledding hill with slides and a new staircase, constructing an amphitheater and pavilions and creating new basketball courts, gardens, paths and a playground. To kick off the plan's implementation, the Town created a contemplative garden at the park, adding benches, new landscaping, a concrete pathway and a decorative panel to beautify the park's gateway.

Town of Bennington Office of Community Development (2019)

Bennington, VT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: After the Town of Bennington removed an out-of-date play structure, Stark Street Park was essentially an empty field. To draw residents of all ages back to the Park, the Town's Office of Community Development devised a plan to add a natural playground, bicycle pump track and a quarter-mile walking path. This project added an accessible path, which loops around the playground. In addition, the Town planted a pollinator garden with perennial plants attractive to butterflies and bees, installed two wooden benches and erected a welcome sign at the park entrance. Since these improvements, the nearby hospital obtained land and trails, which connect to Stark Street Park. The town has also added a mountain bike course onsite.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Growling Garden (2021)

Pocatello, ID

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: Many low-income Pocatello residents have limited access to fresh fruit and vegetables. Growling Garden, a community-based organization that addresses food insecurity, worked to address this by providing families with raised garden box kits. Each family received a three-tiered garden box, seed packets, compost and trowels to help them plant a backyard garden. The project helped economically strapped families extend their food budgets and gain access to healthy produce.

NeighborWorks Pocatello (2018)

Pocatello, ID

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places

Description: Not every Pocatello neighborhood has its own public park or gathering space. To give residents a way to gather outside, NeighborWorks Pocatello created its Block Party Trailer. Equipped with folding picnic tables, chairs, cornhole games, an outdoor movie screen, collapsible garbage bins and more, the 22-foot trailer helps neighbors easily host block parties and other outdoor gatherings. "This will help people not only get to know their neighbors, but also just get them out into their neighborhoods," Neighborworks Community Equipment Manager Lisa Smith said.

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Launched in 2017, the annual AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to local governments and nonprofits in order to fund quick-action, ready-to-implement projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.

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