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La Crosse Area Family YMCA (2018) Print
2018 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
La Crosse's food forest produces fruit and vegetables for the community, helps absorb stormwater runoff and serves as a communal gathering place. The forest, however, did not have seating along its many paths. To beautify the forest and give visitors a place to rest, the La Crosse Area Family YMCA created artistic benches. Younger people worked with older adult mentors to design, assemble and decorate each bench. Many pay homage to the forest, featuring images of plants and vegetables. Project organizers say the public art effort fostered intergenerational cohesion, and residents consider the new benches to be source of community pride.
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See More Projects Like This One
Potlatch, ID
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: In 1906, the Washington, Idaho and Montana Railway built the Potlatch Depot, which served as a warehouse to store excess freight and baggage. The Washington, Idaho and Montana Railway History Preservation Group hoped to offer visitors rides on speeders and rail cycles -- small vehicles that travel along the tracks, which railroad employees once used to inspect tracks and reach trains needing repairs. To do this, the group needed to expand into the depot's annex. They worked to renovate the building, stabilizing its foundation, replacing siding and removing interior walls and floor lumber. Project organizers hope the speeder rides will attract the public to the depot's museum and increase a sense of community pride.
Moulton, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To revitalize Moulton's downtown area, Moulton Lions Club created parklets, a mural and temporary, artistic crosswalks. The mural is located along Bylar Road -- the area's oldest public road -- and showcases the route's history. To Project organizers also outfitted several parklets with movable benches, chairs and umbrellas to increase foot traffic and provide rest and shade during events, including the annual Strawberry Festival. In addition, the Lions Club created artistic crosswalks with sidewalk chalk. Each had a local theme, from educating locals about endangered salamanders to paying homage to local resident Jesse Owen, who competed at the 1936 Olympics. Lions Club organizers says they hope the project will spur residents to consider how art can make public spaces more appealing.
Morrilton, AR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: With the addition of several new hammocks near Morrilton's nature trail and park, the Parks and Recreation Department provided a place for all ages to pause, lean back and relax. According to the City, the installation has led drivers to slow down to look at the hammock farm, with some visitors trying out hammocks for the first time.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
La Crosse, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: Older residents needed affordable housing options and flexibility to age in place, but city ordinances blocked homeowners from building accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The city launched a design competition, reviewed 36 submissions and selected three winners, then published all designs online to guide future projects. An awards event drew community members and sparked lender interest in financing packages. These steps accelerated ADU adoption, giving residents access to open-source plans that make age-friendly housing and intergenerational living more attainable.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
La Crosse, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: This project will revitalize a frequently used route and make it more accessible to residents aged 50 by adding improvements such as a new crosswalk with art, a covered bus shelter and seats, light posts with decorative banners and other amenities.
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