AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
Main Street Manning (2018) Print
2018 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
Organizers with Manning Main Street hoped to encourage visitors to Manning's vibrant downtown to congregate and socialize. To create an inviting environment, they installed twelve artistic lights along Main Street. Local artisans created the lights, which are comprised of panels featuring cutouts depicting local landmarks, including the town's water tower, trestle bridge and historic Lutheran church. The additional illumination also enhances safety in the area. In the years since, Main Street Manning has focused on streetscaping and has added more art installations downtown.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Hebron, CT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The Town Center Project wanted to revitalize Hebron's village green and create the kind of downtown people want to visit. To do this, they invited residents to Take a Seat in a dozen hand-painted Adirondack chairs installed in the historic village center. Local artists entered a competition to design the seating, which volunteers assembled. Each wood-slatted chair has its own look, ranging from African-themed designs to an under-the-sea concept. The village stores over the winter to protect them from snow, bringing them out every spring for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Farmington, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project activated a breezeway in downtown Farmington. The city-owned space was long unused -- it sits in the footprint of a building that burned to the ground in 1914. But since it conveniently connects a parking lot to the town's Main Street, project organizers saw its potential as a convenient passthrough and gathering space. By installing solar-powered string lights, setting out seating and tables and creating a mural on an adjacent building, the City created a pocket park. The city plans to continue to add to the space, creating more seating out of wood from a beloved blue spruce that died and installing raised planter beds. Organizers say they also envision bringing community activities to the pocket park.
Conyers, GA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The grounds of the Conyers-Rockdale Library offer locals an attractive, relaxing place to work remotely and enjoy the area's natural surroundings. Through its Birds, Benches and Blooms project, the library installed brightly colored benches around the grounds, including one on the Olde Town Conyers Trail, a well-traveled bicycle and pedestrian path. Project organizers also installed hand-crafted wooden bird feeders with live stream cameras, allowing residents to watch birds in person and from home. Additionally, the library bought two weather-protected corkboards to display community announcements.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Manning, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Developing projects based on residents' priorities
Description: Manning City Hall possesses a collection of important historical artifacts, but because of space constraints, most of them were kept in storage in the building's basement. To allow residents to see the items, the City of Manning installed eighteen glass display cases and placed them throughout the community, creating a reverse museum tour. They distributed brochures explaining how a reverse museum helps display artifacts without the cost of building a standalone facility. The leaflets also give information on the artifacts displayed, which range from small trinkets to World War II nurse's uniforms. Project organizers say the displays have inspired residents to explore their own basements and attics in search of more items to donate. The project also sparked the local library to open a designated room -- dubbed the vault -- to host larger exhibits.
Manning, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Disaster Preparedness
Description: This project will create a disaster response kit for the community, enabling volunteers to assist safely and effectively. Community-wide trainings will help individuals prepare with checklists and personal kits.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect 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 Iowa State Office
600 E. Court Avenue
Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50309
United States