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Pope Hartford Designated Fund Inc. (2020) Print
2020 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Park enhancements
└ Park enhancements
This project improved accessibility at Pope Park for older adults and people with disabilities. Project organizers installed ADA-compliant picnic tables with benches, designed to accommodate individuals using scooters or wheelchairs. The added amenities upgraded an area of the park with a play area and spray pool for small children. In this predominantly low-income neighborhood few homes have front or back yards, making Pope Park an important outdoor space for residents of all ages. Project organizers say the new seating highlighted a need for more accessible pathways in the park, which are now being designed.
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New Milford, CT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: To create social opportunities for people of all ages, the Town of New Milford added benches and game top tables along the walkway to the Young's Field Park. Town employees installed the tables, which can host chess and checkers games. Project organizers say they hope the tables encourage intergenerational activities in the riverfront park. Today, teens from a New Milford High School after-school club use the table for regular games with players from the New Milford Senior Center.
Leadville, CO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Many residents weren't aware of underused park in Leadville's downtown. To increase the park's visibility, the City revamped the space. They replaced eight benches and installed twinkle lights and a permanent fire pit made from a converted ore cart. Community members chipped in by creating mosaics on planters and painting a mural. The City held a well-attended kick-off party for the park, which featured fire pits and giveaways.
Richlands, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Richlands had few accessible parks, leaving older adults and people with disabilities without safe spaces for fitness or social connection. The "Fit for Life" project added wheelchair-accessible swings, air walkers and benches to an underused park, while volunteers brightened the space with colorful features. Now, older adults can exercise, socialize and join community outings in a park designed for everyone. "I had the best day," said one visitor, capturing the joy and renewed sense of belonging this project brings. Plans for similar parks in other communities are already underway.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Hartford, CT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: KNOX rebuilt and upgraded the Hartford's Broad Street Community Garden to allow people of all ages and abilities to easily garden there. They added 22 raised garden beds, making plots more accessible to children, people with disabilities and older residents. Additionally, the organization hired a contractor to repair a garden fence and purchased a picnic table and a pergola -- a structure to create shade for gardeners. Since then, KNOX continues to create gardening opportunities for Hartford residents. The Hartford Courant reported in 2021 that KNOX manages 20 community gardens with a cumulative five acres of space. These include nearly 660 plots, each with an average size of 12 square feet.
Wethersfield, CT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: To improve the walkability and bikeability Wethersfield, the Town installed bike racks, signage and benches at several locations, including recreational spaces, municipal facilities and commercial areas. In addition, the town created walk and bike path maps, which it posted online.
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