Cuba City, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: For more than ten years, Cuba City's planning documents promised an intergenerational gathering space downtown. This project made good on that promise, converting a gravel parking lot into a gathering space. Organizers hoped the Presidential Plaza Project would increase walkability and draw traffic to Cuba City's Main Street business district. To activate the space, volunteers installed a bike rack, outdoor games and picnic tables with umbrellas for shade. A Wi-Fi hotspot provides free internet access for visitors. To beautify the area, residents painted a large mural on the pavement, which pays tribute to frontline workers' contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. A later addition to the mural depicts the Mississippi river and includes an area for visitors to play hopscotch.

Ronceverte, WV

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: To give residents an outdoor space to gather, this project set out to create a pocket park in downtown Ronceverte. Organizers poured topsoil to level out the site and added benches and raised flower beds. A mural is also planned for the site.

Mantua, UT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: For years, a small parcel of land sat underused, leaving the town without a safe, accessible place for residents to gather. Limited local funding slowed progress on a long-standing park plan, especially features that would help older adults move comfortably through the space. The Town of Mantua Parks and Trails added benches, tables and smoother transitions between walkways and activity areas, making it easier to reach courts, the pavilion and seating areas. The improvements supported daily use and volunteer involvement, with older adults among the most frequent users of the walking paths and courts. As amenities came online, the park began hosting more informal gatherings, creating a reliable place where residents of different ages spend time together.

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