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Parowan City Corporation (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Park enhancements
└ Park enhancements
After older adults lost access to a popular recreation site, Parowan built four pickleball courts with fencing, shade structures and bleachers to create a safe, social space. A kickoff tournament during the Fall Festival drew dozens of players age 50-plus and volunteers, sparking new friendships and regular play. The courts now host growing community events, including beginner workshops and age-bracketed tournaments. As one participant said, "These are the best courts... I can do this well into my 70s and 80s."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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St. John, KS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Pickleball grew popular in St. John, but older adults driving the trend had no dedicated courts and played in borrowed spaces. The project transformed an old tennis court into six pickleball courts, two more than planned. The courts are now used daily by residents of all ages, and the school added pickleball to its physical education program. The recreation commission plans tournaments to draw regional players, boosting health and community engagement. One participant said she was thrilled to have a court nearby, and says she will get to play more often now.
Foley, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Organizers thought Foley Park -- a small green space next to a middle school -- had untapped potential. Foley Main Street and the City of Foley transformed the park into a local music destination. Redubbing the space Freenotes Harmony Park, Foley Main Street installed a collection of outdoor musical instruments, including contrabass chimes, an orange swirl, a yellow imbraimba and rainbow drums. The instruments are designed to be easy to play -- similar to a xylophone, the imbarimba has 22 fiberglass keys of varying lengths, which sit atop metal chimes. Visitors can play the instrument by striking the keys with the attached mallets. The instruments weren't the only upgrade to the pocket park. The City also assed an amphitheater with lights, power outlets and an ADA-compliant stage. Since their installation, the instruments have created an outdoor classroom for middle school students on weekdays, as well as a gathering place for residents of all ages on evenings and weekends.
Leipsic, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: The Village of Leipsic installed a firepit with a pergola and adult swings in Bennett Park. The Village also provided permanent outdoor games for people of all ages, including four concrete cornhole boards and an outdoor checkers and chess board. Before these upgrades, community members considered the park a work in progress. But this project sparked additional investment in the park, including work to fix a drainage issue affecting a nearby playground. "Bennett Park is an outstanding athletic complex being enhanced by a new community track, this funding will allow us to further develop playground and family attractions in our newest park," Village Administrator Justin Barnhart said.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Cedar City, UT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: The Iron City Tourism Bureau hoped to improve walkability along three blocks of the Cedar City's University Boulevard. To do this, the organization created an artistic crosswalk at a busy intersection, which both beatified the crossing and made it more visible to drivers. The Bureau also commissioned a mural nearby to commemorate the city's connection to Utah's national parks. To encourage people to walk and gather, they installed benches along the boulevard. New signs directed pedestrians to nearby attractions and services. Following the improvements, the Bureau reported slower traffic speeds. More murals and crosswalk art are in the works and the Bureau is advocating for bike lanes in the neighborhood.
Cedar City, UT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: Downtown Cedar City lacked seating and bike facilities, limiting access and discouraging gathering. The project installed four benches, ADA-compliant picnic tables at the farmers market and bike racks in high-traffic areas. These improvements created comfortable resting spots and secure bike parking. More people have been drawn to events and businesses, and the upgrades have encouraged active transportation and strengthened the area's role as a cultural hub. Residents praised the improvements, noting the heavy-duty benches and tables make it easier to stay and enjoy entertainment.
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