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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
Nashville, TN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: With the goal of reducing social isolation for older residents, Urban Housing Solutions designed and constructed a temporary parklet at Mercury Court, a small affordable housing community close to downtown Nashville. The organization outfitted the outdoor space with patio chairs, picnic tables, planter boxes, solar string lights and shade umbrellas. They also repainted a community room and decorated a wall with graphics celebrating the property's history. To ensure the space enables social interaction, a group of residents worked to coordinate social events, such as movie and game nights and community meals. In addition, Mercury Courts residents have shown interest in using the new planter boxes as garden beds. Urban Housing Solutions is a nonprofit housing developer serving Nashville's unhoused and low-income residents.
Devens, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: As part of larger efforts to create a community space that honors veterans, Clear Path for Veterans added Adirondack chairs and tables to the Devens Memorial Courtyard. Project organizers hope the space offers visitors the opportunity to sit and quietly reflect on those who have served the nation. The new seating is also set up to facilitate private, face-to-face mental health and integrative wellness coaching sessions -- ensuring veterans and their health care providers had a safe, outdoor space to meet during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since installing the seating, Clear Path for Veterans has used the courtyard to host meetings with veterans and mental health professionals, as well as community meals and vaccination clinics.
Rugby, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project will enhance a park with seasonal decor, benches and a mural to create an appealing gathering space. These updates aim to make the area more walkable and inviting.
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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