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Phelps County Community Foundation (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public art installations
└ Public art installations
A long-vacant building in downtown Holdrege left residents without a safe, accessible place to gather. To address this, the foundation created the Midtown Sculpture Garden, adding ADA-compliant seating, tables, decorative lighting, trees and a mural of a Nebraska sunset. Older adults joined a community painting day and quickly embraced the space, which now hosts casual visits and will serve as a venue for art festivals and musical events. "I'm feeling almost giddy with happy feelings when I hear and read about and see the sculpture garden. This will improve the...future for Holdrege," wrote one local resident, reflecting the pride and connection the project has sparked.
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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See More Projects Like This One
Lake City, SC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: The City of Lake City addressed a lack of safe, accessible places for residents to walk and exercise downtown, a gap that limited no-cost options for physical activity for older adults. Damaged sidewalks and unclear routes discouraged regular outdoor movement and made walking less comfortable. The city repaired sidewalks and created a clearly defined downtown walking trail, supported by trailhead signage and sidewalk decals developed with local partners. Health and recreation organizations helped connect the trail to programs that encourage routine use, including walking as part of personal wellness plans. Older adults now have a safer, more inviting route for daily walking close to other community resources. The trail is positioned as a lasting asset that supports ongoing health efforts and provides a foundation for future improvements.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Jacksonville, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: This project will install lit gateway markers throughout the Cathedral Hill neighborhood to enhance safety and wayfinding. The markers will also support gathering spaces within the community.
Perth Amboy, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Perth Amboy sought to create a welcoming space that reflects its cultural heritage and fosters intergenerational connections. The "Eternal Bonds: Stories of Love and Legacy" mural project installed three custom-designed murals in the Housing Authority's community room, with older adults shaping the design through a paint-and-sip event. The unveiling celebration drew more than 100 attendees, including local artists and residents. The murals transformed the room into a cultural hub for ongoing events, strengthened social ties and promoted local artists. Diverse involvement ensured the artwork reflects shared values, and the project is expected to boost community pride and engagement for years to come.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Kearney, NE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: To help residents travel around town without driving, Kearney Works engaged drivers to travel along a set route, picking passengers up at strategically located pick-up locations. The organization recruited drivers from the City of Kearney's growing population of recently retired people. Passengers paid a nominal fee to share safe, reliable rides to their places of employment, childcare centers, job interviews and other destinations.
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