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Metuchen Downtown Alliance (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
To create a gathering spot near the city's center for older adults, this project transformed two downtown parking spaces into a parklet with planters, seating and a table decorated with a mosaic.
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See More Projects Like This One
Avoca, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Avoca's Main Street already had green space and places to sit, but Avoca Public Library organizers wanted to give residents a reason to spend time downtown. To invite people in, they installed oversized, weather-proof musical instruments outside the library. Since the instruments don't require any training or talent to play, they are popular with residents of all ages. Part of the town's creative placemaking plans, the new music park is located near the site of Avoca's weekly summer farmer's market. It's a fun part of the town now, Avoca resident Sunshine Schoeller said.
Woodburn, OR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project created a public community gathering space in the heart of one of Oregon's largest older adult communities.
Liberty, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The library will create a story walk -- a series of displays along an accessible path designed to display pages from a storybook. The project responds to local grandparents' requests for more activities they can do with their grandchildren.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Metuchen, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Businesses in Metuchen's downtown struggled during pandemic-related shutdowns in 2020. To help with their recovery and resilience, the Metuchen Downtown Alliance made investments in public outdoor spaces, turning a block of New Street into a pedestrian oriented New Streetery. After the Borough Council voted to ease zoning requirements, the Alliance converted street parking spaces into parklets. This created outdoor space for businesses -- including restaurants, shops and fitness studios -- to operate safely. To accommodate diners, the Downtown Alliance purchased over 100 tables with chairs, as well as infrared heaters and lighting. In the summer months, New Street closed to vehicle traffic on weekends, with partial street closures continuing into the winter. Project organizers say that although COVID-19 has since waned, walkability and outdoor dining remain part of Metuchen's downtown culture.
Perth Amboy, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: The City engaged a local artist to create a mural in for Perth Amboy Housing Authority's community room. The City surveyed residents, using their input to inform the artwork's subject matter.
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