Ellsworth, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Ellsworth's once-bustling East End corridor had declined over several decades, with a 60 percent vacancy rate along Broadway Street. The Local Chamber of Commerce hoped to see the neighborhood rise again as a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use area. To promote its vision, the Chamber commissioned six murals celebrating local agricultural history. They also put up light pole banners and window clings with branding for the neighborhood and added benches, bistro tables and hanging planter baskets along Broadway Street. The Chamber then staged a historical walking tour, which garnered local news coverage and spurred the County historical association to consider designating the East End as an official historic district. In conjunction with these placemaking efforts, the Chamber launched a pop-up program for small businesses opening in the East End. Following that initiative, two of the participating decided to operate permanently in the neighborhood.

Athens, AL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: The project addressed long-standing accessibility issues at the farmers market, where older adults often struggled with heavy tables and low seating that made it difficult to rest or enjoy live music and social time. Age-friendly furnishings, including higher-seated chairs and a wheelchair-accessible table, created a gathering area that welcomed patrons who previously avoided the space. The improvements allowed more people to stay longer, enjoy food and music and reconnect with friends without physical strain. As one visitor said, "I love these walk-in tables... I can actually get in and out of them so easy," while another noted how much easier it was to rise from the taller chairs.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Rugby, ND

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Downtown Rugby lacked a welcoming place for people to gather, so the Chamber set out to make the park more inviting with seating, art and holiday features that support walkability and community events. The team installed benches, picnic tables including an accessible table, umbrellas and new holiday props. It then activated the space with a Prairie Painted Piano scavenger hunt. Volunteers, many age 55-plus, helped prepare the area ahead of the Parade of Lights, when families used the new features. One visitor said "The additions were so fun to see... it is great to see people caring about this area and making improvements."

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.