See More Projects Like This One

Danville, KY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Public art installations

Description: Danville was known for the community's commitment to the arts, but the town lacked public art in its downtown. In an effort to bring vibrancy to the town's commercial core, Heart of Danville has supported more than 100 major renovation projects. This project installed the community's first large-scale mural. More than 1,000 residents provided feedback about what should be included in the mural designed by artist Andlee Rudloff. The final design showcases the community's history. To complete the mural, 205 people -- ranging in age from 2- to 80-years-old -- gathered to paint. Project organizers say the mural is the first step toward activating the adjacent parking lot, allowing it to host parklet installations and pop-up events.

Upper Darby, PA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Public art installations

Description: A new mural brought renewed activity and improved safety to Upper Darby Township's downtown. Volunteers -- including older adults, artists, students and art teachers -- designed and created the 135-foot mural, which is located in a breezeway connecting a parking lot to retail and entertainment options. Its design incorporates greetings in 60 languages -- reflecting community members' native tongues -- and older adults' input helped ensure its imagery reflected the region's history. Project organizers also added new lighting and seating to the breezeway. Community response has been positive. I really enjoy the walk from the garage to the office building, one local worker said. It is cleaner and well-lit. The colorful mural provides an uplifting view and I believe that it encourages people to care a bit more about the area...There is such diversity in culture here. Going forward, the Township plans to use the site for small pop-up events, such as a Music at the Mural performance.

Middlebury, VT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public art installations

Description: To make Middlebury's downtown more vibrant, Find Your Wings launched a public art initiative to increase community engagement. The organization engaged local artists who worked with residents to create eight sets of wings. To include as many community members as possible, they distributed art kits to homebound residents, schools and senior living facilities, who sent their creations back to the artists. Each set of wings is unique -- one consists of painted plywood feathers, another parrots a monarch butterfly's wings, while a third turns random household objects into musical instruments for passersby to strike. Installed throughout downtown, the installations invite pedestrians to pose and snap selfies. Project organizers say the placemaking effort is meant to foster a sense of belonging and boost the local economy.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Bronx, NY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: The Morris Community Garden had suffered years of neglect, and the abandoned site was overrun with rats. To breathe new live into the space, BronxWorks restored the garden, located near a senior center and three schools. They renamed the space Bean Morris Garden to memorialize a young man from the neighborhood. To welcome people of all ages and abilities, the nonprofit added accessible seating to the space, along with raised garden beds. Since the renovation, residents of all ages have volunteered to tend to the plots. Organizers say the amenity offers an important outdoor gathering space for the community.

Bronx, NY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: The project will convert an underutilized lot into a farmers market with cooking demonstrations and essential services for older adults.

LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED

Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages

people icon

Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities

download icon

Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter

mail icon

Don't see your community listed?

LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORK

Connect with your AARP State Office

AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP New York State Office

750 Third Avenue
Floor 31
New York, NY 10017
United States

Phone: 866-227-7442
Fax: 212-644-6390
Email: [email protected]