AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
Parks Alliance of Louisville (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Park enhancements
└ Park enhancements
In Louisville's California Neighborhood, decades of disinvestment left residents without safe green space. The project opened phase one of Alberta O. Jones Park, adding fitness stations designed for all ages, especially older adults. Residents helped select equipment, and a ribbon-cutting drew more than 200 people. The park now offers a walkable destination that encourages physical activity and social interaction in one of the city's most underserved neighborhoods, creating a model for community-driven park leadership.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Huntsville, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Huntsville Botanical Garden addressed accessibility barriers that made it difficult for older adults and visitors with mobility challenges to comfortably explore its large outdoor spaces. The project added mobility scooters and strategically placed benches, reducing physical strain and allowing visitors to move at their own pace and rest as needed. Volunteers, many of them older adults, helped implement the improvements and informed guests about the new options. During a busy holiday light event, the availability of mobility scooters allowed guests with limited mobility to fully experience the displays when other transportation options were unavailable.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Lillian, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Lillian Recreational Park sought to address chronic loneliness among older adults who lacked inviting places to gather and build steady social ties. It converted an unused porch into a space with comfortable seating, fans, heaters, murals and game tables. It then launched bingo, Mahjong, walking sessions and other events shaped by a volunteer committee. These additions gave residents a casual place to meet new people and stay active. One visitor said she loves how the porch became "an inviting, comfortable and inclusive spot... a great meeting space." Early turnout shows it offers a dependable way for people to stay connected.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Bonanza, OR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Older adults and residents with mobility challenges had limited access to safe recreational spaces in a rural community with few public amenities. The existing playground had uneven surfaces and outdated equipment that prevented many residents from participating, limiting opportunities for physical activity and time with family. The district transformed Big Springs Park into a fully ADA-accessible playground with level surfaces, accessible play features, benches and shade. Older adult volunteers played a central role in planning and installation, helping ensure the space reflected real mobility needs and comfort concerns. The new playground created a dependable gathering place where older adults can stay active, socialize and spend time with grandchildren. By removing long-standing access barriers and engaging residents age 50 or over as leaders, the project strengthened community ownership and established inclusive design as a model for future public improvements.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
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.
Louisville, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: At a width of 150 feet, Louisville's Ninth Street had the feel of a thoroughfare. To improve the street's safety and aesthetics, Louisville Metro Government upgraded sidewalks, painted bars to make crosswalks more visible to drivers and changed signals to give pedestrians more crossing time. To give people a space to rest, they added benches to an underused green space in the median, the site of an existing sculpture. Doing so created a public space for residents declared that a place to sit and rest in the area was one of their preferred amenities. Organizes say the project has sparked conversations about how to continue improving the pedestrian experience on Ninth Street. Louisville is now exploring adding bike lanes, as well as bump-outs to make crossing distances smaller. "We want to redesign this corridor with people in mind and not just cars, Gretchen Millikin," director of advanced planning, said.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP Kentucky State Office
10401 Linn Station Road
Suite 121
Louisville, KY 40223
United States