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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
Hartford, CT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: KNOX rebuilt and upgraded the Hartford's Broad Street Community Garden to allow people of all ages and abilities to easily garden there. They added 22 raised garden beds, making plots more accessible to children, people with disabilities and older residents. Additionally, the organization hired a contractor to repair a garden fence and purchased a picnic table and a pergola -- a structure to create shade for gardeners. Since then, KNOX continues to create gardening opportunities for Hartford residents. The Hartford Courant reported in 2021 that KNOX manages 20 community gardens with a cumulative five acres of space. These include nearly 660 plots, each with an average size of 12 square feet.
Chesapeake, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project installed various equipment and features to a community garden, including raised-bed boxes, planter benches, a modular trellis system, an outdoor sink and a rain barrel.
Juncos, PR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: LTRG conducted workshops designed to improve the community's disaster preparedness. Topics included first aid, communication, preparing for earthquakes and hurricanes and gardening and food preservation. Additionally, residents participated in rescue simulations and certified first response team training. With a community garden at its center, the project provided infrastructure, including solar-powered lighting and a water storage tank, for use following disasters. Organizers say the improvements will allow their site to provide shelter during emergencies, as well as a place for community members to access meals and a place to shower.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Fontana, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: The City of Fontana wanted to motivate its residents to incorporate walking into their daily routines. To do this, the City launched its Fontana Walks program, with the goal of recording two billion steps taken by locals in a year, equaling roughly 1 million miles. Participants registered and received a pedometer and water bottle to help them get going. The City then held its inaugural community walk, which attracted with 100 participants, with hundreds more lacing up their shoes over the next few months. To keep the momentum going, the City created a website with tips and motivation for walkers. The City has continued to host monthly community walks, each featuring a theme.
Fullerton, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: This project hosted twice-weekly training sessions on outdoor fitness equipment at four parks frequented by older adults.
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