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Tallahassee, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: The Goodwood Museum and Gardens revitalized a historic roller rink, transforming it into a gathering space for outdoor activities. The rink -- originally built in 1916 -- sat vacant for years, but the Museum saw potential for the 10,000-square-foot site. Accessibility was a main goal for project organizers, so the Museum installed an ADA-compliant sidewalk, ramp and handrails. They also added lighting to increase safety at the site, levelled the rink's concrete surface, added landscaping and upgraded electrical wiring. These enhancements attracted community partners to the space, including the Irish Repertory Theater and the Southern Shakespeare Company. Today the site hosts a monthly live performance featuring local musicians, along with other community activities.

Logan, IA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Older adults in Logan lacked safe outdoor spaces and reliable internet, often sitting on library steps to access Wi-Fi. The library addressed this by adding a covered gazebo, ADA-compliant picnic table and extended Wi-Fi outdoors. Volunteers, most age 50-plus, built seating and decorated the space, creating a welcoming area for gatherings. The project boosted visits and social engagement, with one resident mentioning that a project like this has long been overdue. Plans include adding solar charging stations and a community notice board to keep the momentum going.

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

Clarkston, GA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Clarkston's only community center was unusable, leaving older adults without a safe space for activities in a city where language barriers and isolation are common. The organization renovated the center with new furniture and climate control, then launched crochet workshops pairing older adults with youth. It also spurred new Tai Chi and peace education classes. The permanent hub now hosts programs and resource drives, fostering intergenerational learning and cultural exchange. For residents age 50-plus, the center offers consistent programming and a nearby venue to stay active and connected.

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

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Montgomery, AL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Bike Audits

Description: This project will engage volunteers to conduct two bike audits evaluating safety near Montgomery Whitewater park. County officials will analyze the findings and work toward implementing improvements.

Montgomery, AL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: Drivers in Montgomery can't help but slow down when they approach the crosswalk on busy Mulberry Street. The crossing features solar-powered, pedestrian-activated crossing signals as well as a pavement mural -- all of which calm passing traffic and improve pedestrian safety. After calling on residents to submit their ideas for the mural, the City's traffic engineers painted the crossing to look like a troll bridge. Connecting a residential neighborhood to the local elementary school, the crosswalk depicts a wooden bridge with a mom, dad and baby troll hanging on its sides. The bridge allows students to safety get to school and also enables pedestrians to traverse Mulberry Street's many small businesses. We had about 30 designs submitted for the crosswalkand all of them were delightful, but the Hardy design made the whole selection committee smile, Lynda Wool, a senior planner for the city of Montgomery, told Design Alabama.

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