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Monroeville Main Street (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
Organizers with Monroeville's Main Street initiative hoped to draw residents to the city's historic downtown district. To give people a reason to gather outdoors, they added wheelchair-accessible game tables and seating in several locations, including the grounds of the Monroe County Museum, two parks, the local YMCA and a senior center. The organization also purchased checkers and chess game pieces, which are available to visitors to check out. Part of a larger campaign to decrease littering and encourage community pride, organizers also installed trash cans downtown. And to increase facetime with constituents, the newly elected mayor also called on residents to challenge him to a game of chess or checkers. Organizers say the placemaking project is meant to unite the community by giving people a place to connect with each other.
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Burlington, VT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Pandemic restrictions exposed the lack of safe outdoor spaces for older adults in Burlington, leaving them with temporary plastic chairs and no accessible options. The center converted parking spaces and lawn into a permanent patio featuring wheelchair-friendly raised beds, cedar benches, heavy-duty tables and chairs, privacy screens and decorative planters. Volunteers built and installed everything, creating a vibrant setting for meals, games and performances. The space now supports gardening and social connection while offering a long-term solution for distancing during health crises. "It's just so beautiful. I really love sitting outside and listening to the birds," said one participant.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
South Bend, IN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Many older adults in South Bend have trouble connecting with their peers to engage in meaningful conversation. South Bend Heritage develops affordable housing for older adults and provides supportive services to facilitate aging in place. The organization transformed an alley that connects one of its apartment buildings to South Bend's downtown. The alley now features benches, picnic tables, lighting and grills. Since the improvements, the space hosts monthly events to encourage apartment residents and the wider community to gather and socialize.
Vinita, OK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The City of Vinita set out to create a gathering place for the community to enjoy while making a positive economic impact on local commerce. Through the Route 66 Breezeway Project, they transformed a dark alley along historic Route 66 Main Street corridor into a well-lit, safe pathway. To allow people to gather in the breezeway, the City installed ADA-accessible benches and tables. Art displayed along the alley's walls allow the space to function as an outdoor gallery. The space connects to downtown Vinita, allowing visitors to walk to shops and restaurants there. For residents of new senior living apartments nearby, the area has created a welcoming, art-filled gathering space and enjoyable walking access to downtown. Today, the site hosts a seasonal farmers market, concerts, outdoor dining and meetings.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Monroeville, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Organizers with Monroeville Main Street wanted to create a free, healthy educational activity for families. They created a story trail downtown, which leads from the town's historic square to the local library. They installed 24 panels along the trail, each containing pages from a story book. This allows families with children to read the book as they stroll. Organizers plan to swap out the story on display 18 times over the course of the year. Additionally, organizers installed water fountains and water bottle filling stations in three parks, as well as in Monroeville's downtown. To accommodate people of all abilities, each story trail panel and water fountain sits along ADA-compliant sidewalks. Organizers say the story trail will be a feature in the community's downtown events.
Camden, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: To replace dilapidated seating options in Camden's historic downtown, Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center organized the Sharing Our Stories One Bench at a Time project. The effort involved purchasing, decorating and installing 11 mosaic benches around the Wilcox County Courthouse. Led by local mosaic artist Linda Munoz, residents aged 4 to 80 shared their stories, came up with themes and designs and cut and laid colorful glass onto concrete seats. The benches -- which feature imagery related to life in Camden -- represent more than just a beautiful place to sit. Project organizers say the new benches brought the community together and strengthened Camden's sense of civic pride.
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