Boston, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Wakullah Street Community Garden worked to remove access barriers that limited older adults from fully using a long-standing neighborhood garden. Uneven paths, limited seating and low lighting reduced safety and shortened visits, making it harder to gather and garden. The project cleared and reoriented pathways toward shared seating areas, added lighting and prepared the site for benches, internet access and a greenhouse. Older adults volunteered alongside neighbors to shape the upgrades and plan how the space should function. Early improvements increased participation and time spent in the garden, while planned additions position the space for longer hours and resident-led activities. The work supports safer access, stronger social connection and continued use of the garden as a shared community space.

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

Kokomo, IN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Gardening tools, carts and small storage sheds will be added to multiple community garden sites. These tools will allow older volunteers to garden comfortably and stay active while helping others.

Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: A greenhouse, gardening tools, growing supplies and a small outdoor stage to support events and food production will be added to a community garden. These upgrades will improve planting capacity and allow more community members to participate safely.