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Louisville, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project made a series of placemaking improvements to the Woodlawn Avenue business district, located in the Beechmont neighborhood. First, the Center for Neighborhoods added pedestrian-level lighting along the street to improve safety. They also converted three parking spaces into an outdoor cafe space. Originally meant to be temporary, the picnic area's popularity spurred project organizers to create Louisville's first permanent parklet in the spot, which includes a deck, seating, a green wall and planter boxes. Beautification efforts also included activating a nearby alleyway. That included painting a mural for the space, which community members named Beechmont Alley. New, accessible parking spaces helped make the corridor more welcoming to people of all ability levels.
Glenns Ferry, ID
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The City of Glenns Ferry activated a neglected plot of land into a new, multigenerational park, which they named the Oregon Short Line Park. The space was previously the site of another park, which the City removed in 1980, leaving the land to sit in disrepair. Improvements include a new basketball court, a paved area for other games, a shade structure, benches and ADA-accessible swings designed for children, infants, adults and people with disabilities. In addition, the local branch of Future Farmers for America created an interactive musical installment comprised of a playable bell and a beat wall. Located near the city's historic museum, the Oregon Short Line Park is the only park on Glenns Ferry's south side. In the future, the City plans to add landscaping and xeriscaping.
Lynn, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: While downtown Lynn offers shopping and dining, the city offers few recreational opportunities for older adults. To address this, the City of Lynn has made improvements to the downtown district to make the space more appealing to older residents. First, project organizers created a parklet near Lynn Commons, turning an on-street parking space into a mini-park with benches and shade trees. They also made roadway improvements, including adding curb cuts to make sidewalks safer and more accessible. Finally, they worked with a partner organization to hang 80 large-scale murals. Since the improvements, the City launched a series of walking tours featuring the murals, which are installed throughout the community.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Helena, MT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: This pop-up demonstration set out to gather input from residents about ways to increase mobility in Helena. Organizers planned to create a demonstration kit, comprised of a trailer equipped with supplies to stage pop-up projects. They then set out to create temporary protected bike lanes and make improvements to crosswalks along the Centennial Trial -- all with the goal of making the community more walkable and bikeable.
Helena, MT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: This project will improve accessibility at a local park, adding a wheelchair charging station with an overhead canopy and a bench. The Land Trust will also lay crushed granite to maintain the trail onsite.
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