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Montclair Community Foundation (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
Montclair Community Garden has long been used by community members as a central gathering place, despite a lack of older adult-friendly amenities. The Montclair Community Foundation installed three raised garden beds, specifically designed for people with mobility restrictions, those who cannot easily bend down and gardeners who use wheelchairs. Additionally, the foundation installed an ADA-compliant picnic table, an 18-by-27-foot shade structure and new LED lighting. These changes enable residents of all ages and abilities to enjoy the garden. Now that the improvements are complete, project organizers say they are piloting a health education program at the garden, which will welcome patients whose doctors have recommended they spend time outdoors.
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See More Projects Like This One
Fargo, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: ADA accessible raised garden beds will be installed at a local park so older adults and people with mobility challenges can participate in gardening. The project encourages visitors to be more involved in caring for the garden.
Ho'olehua, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: A fenced community garden area with raised beds and irrigation will be built for older residents. Accessible gardening will support food access, activity and shared growing spaces.
St. Louis, MO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: North St. Louis faces severe food insecurity, leaving older adults with limited access to fresh produce and safe outdoor spaces. Urban Harvest STL grew over 1,000 pounds of food at Fresh Starts Garden, donating most to programs serving older adults. The team installed accessible raised beds and picnic tables and repaired a generator to help power tools, making gardening easier for those with mobility challenges. Volunteers and apprentices age 50-plus joined in, and the season ended with a celebration of 100 community members. The garden manager said, "Gardening is very rewarding... The garden benefits the whole community because they get to see something positive going on."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Fontana, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Addressing community health
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