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Milton-Freewater Downtown Alliance (2020) Print
2020 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
This project temporarily transformed an underused parking lot into a town plaza, dubbed Freewater Square. First, the Milton-Freewater Downtown Alliance made repairs to the pavement and added electric and water access at the site. They then purchased outdoor furniture, shade umbrellas and games. Volunteers also built planters and installed a stage for performances. To beautify the plaza, project organizers also held a mural painting competition. After the transformation, the plaza hosted monthly events, including live music, movie nights, community art projects and game tournaments -- all of which gave residents a safe way to socialize during the COVID-19 pandemic. Small buildings host pop-ups, allowing the site the act as a small business incubator. Eventually, MFDA plans to revert the site to a parking lot. But project organizers say they will use ideas from the plaza activation to permanently convert a nearby vacant lot into a community market and activity center.
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Sacramento, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Florin Road faced neglect and isolation, leaving older adults without safe, welcoming spaces. The museum led a multigenerational placemaking effort, installing ADA-accessible benches and painting murals inspired by Ndebele patterns. Older adults and youth collaborated on art projects, including tree wraps and a vibrant ground mural. Volunteers transformed the light rail station area as well. The project sparked a five-year plan for continued installations and was adopted into Sacramento Regional Transit's Art in Transit program, ensuring cultural expression and community engagement endure.
Ashland, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: A survey showed residents in Ashland wanted more outdoor seating in the city's downtown. As part of larger efforts to revitalize the commercial district the City worked with Ashland Main Street to install decorative benches. The City engaged teams of artists -- including college students and staff from the local food co-op -- to design artwork for the seating. Then, with the help of volunteers, project organizers then installed one bench on every block of Ashland's nine-block commercial area. Each depicts imagery related to the community's identity, including scenes from local history or ecology. Paying homage to nearby Lake Superior, several benches have a water theme. Project organizers say Ashland is known as the mural capital of Wisconsin, and the benches work with other public art installations to draw people to visit downtown.
Gooding, ID
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The Gooding Public Library Foundation converted an unused area of West Park into a community commons. Located near Gooding's library, city hall and police station, the site now features accessible picnic tables, shade canopies and lidded trash cans. The library now uses the site for a variety of activities, including story time and science experiments. Library patrons, workers on lunch break and other community members also gather in the space. The library now plans to install a little free library in the park.
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College Place, WA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public spaces improvements to increase high-speed internet availability
Description: Many residents of College Place lacked access to reliable high-speed internet. To address this, the City of College Place installed hotspots at parks, playgrounds, outdoor movie venues, farmers markets and the local municipal center. Organizers ensured each chosen location had a parking lot, allowing residents to access the internet from their vehicles. To spread the word, the City posted signs advertising the hotspots and City staff attended community events to discuss the free Wi-Fi initiative. Project organizers say public Wi-Fi helps residents access important online resources, such as local job postings. Additionally, the undertaking strengthened the City's relationship with the local school district and affordable housing providers.
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