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Opa-locka, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: For Opa-Locka residents, the closest supermarket is more than a mile away, making fresh produce in this low-income community hard to come by. The Opa-Locka Community Development Corporation conducted an extensive community engagement process to determine what kinds of fresh produce the community needed most. They then responded by planting 14 fruit trees -- as well as herbs -- in the common area of a multifamily residential development. The CDC also installed lighting, benches and other amenities in the space, allowing residents to gather there.
Bristol, CO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Older adults in Bristol faced isolation and lacked accessible outdoor spaces for social interaction and wellness activities. The board created a vibrant outdoor area with ADA-compliant benches, raised garden beds and historical mural panels with QR codes. In addition, a digital historical repository and a veterans memorial were created, and LED lighting and signage were added to make the space safe and welcoming. The project fostered community pride and provided a gathering place for older adults and residents of all ages. It sparked interest in preserving local history and inspired plans for additional improvements, serving as a model for other rural towns.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Green Bay, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The Farmory is a nonprofit urban farm, where community members can learn about sustainable agriculture and aquaponics. However, many of the farm's features were inaccessibly to visitors who rely on wheelchairs or other mobility devices. To make the space more accessible, the Farmory installed a new aquaponics system, which is low to the ground. This allows visitors to see the farm's growing systems without needing to climb onto a ladder. The system consists of four growing beds, water tanks, a germinating chamber and a harvesting area. Today, produce grown with the new aquaponics system also helps combat food insecurity -- the Farmory donates about ten pounds of greens each week to the county's Aging and Disability Resource Center.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
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.
Linden, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Disaster Preparedness
Description: Train‑the‑trainer sessions will prepare residents to lead disaster preparedness education in community locations. A public resilience fair will reinforce readiness with supplies and practical guidance.
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