Aguila, AZ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: The Aguila Community Center in rural Aguila is a community hub for residents of all ages, despite its aging infrastructure, leaky roof and signs of wear and tear. To make the facility useable during the monsoon season, leaders at the center fixed the concrete floor with laminate plank flooring and weatherized the roof to make the facility fully functional. Since the improvements, the Aguila Community Center has hosted COVID-19 vaccine clinics, fitness classes, quincenearas and other community celebrations and events during all months of the year.

Grand Forks, ND

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Smiley Park and Skidmore Park had fallen out of regular use, reducing places for neighbors to gather and limiting opportunities for older adults who once helped lead community activities. The project refreshed both parks with garden beds, a little free library, a bike rack and safer sidewalk access. Activation events, including a 50th anniversary celebration, brought residents back and helped older volunteers reconnect with younger families. Weekly walking meetups resumed and improved signage and banners strengthened community identity. These changes helped residents build new routines in the parks and encouraged continued advocacy for long term upgrades. One participant noted that the work helped bring awareness to the need for people to stay active and educated. The improvements also positioned neighbors to push for future safety enhancements and park investments, supporting lasting use of the spaces.

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

Rock Hill, SC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Garden classes for older adults were in high demand, but without an on-site space, participants lacked hands-on experience. The city transformed a courtyard into a pollinator garden by clearing invasive plants, preparing soil and installing beds, a bench and educational signage. Lifelong Learning participants helped plant and maintain the garden, which now enriches classes and fosters community engagement. One volunteer even signed up as a future instructor, showing how the project sparked new connections and expanded opportunities for experiential learning.

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