AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
Powder River Basin Resource Council (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
Several years ago, the Powder River Basin Resource Council created a food forest -- a space that gives the community access to fresh produce, including fruit, berries and vegetables. However, the space lacked accessibility features, making it difficult for older adults and people with mobility challenges to visit. To make the food forest more inviting, the council asked a local craftsman to design benches, which give people a place to pause and relax as they walk through the gardens. They also installed solar lighting, which allows visitors to use the forest after dark. Plans to expand the food forest are now underway. The council is working with an elder from the Northern Cheyenne community to create a Native food garden onsite.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Clarkesville, GA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Clarkesville lacked interactive outdoor spaces that encouraged movement and family bonding, especially for older adults. Pebble Ministry addressed this by creating a StoryWalk near the visitors center, installing posts and display cases for rotating books and adding signage with QR codes for feedback. The trail now draws readers of all ages, promoting exercise and social connection. Older adults report enjoying walks with friends and pets, and one visitor wrote, "A group of us...were out for a walk and were so pleased to see this."
Caldwell, ID
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Organizers with Destination Caldwell think of Indian Creek Plaza like the front porch on a farmhouse -- a place for sitting and chatting with neighbors. The nonprofit hoped to activate the space with interactive outdoor games. They engaged residents to decoupage vintage photographs onto cornhole boards and piece together glass-mosaic tabletop gameboards for chess, checkers and backgammon. This project is part of larger efforts to bring public art to the plaza. Today, the game tables are available throughout the year.
Kamiah, ID
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To create a gathering place for their rural community and provide opportunities for social connection, the Carrot Ridge Volunteer Fire District equipped its red-sided, barn-like building with tables, chairs and small appliances. They then hosted a dinner to thank the many volunteers who donated time, land, building supplies and more to build the center during its construction. Since then, the center has hosted chili cook-offs, a community Thanksgiving event and barbeques for hundreds of residents.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Sheridan, WY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project will create a patio garden with flowers, vegetables, and seating to promote well-being for tenants and the community. It will provide fresh vegetables, enhance socialization, and offer a relaxing space for older adults.
Sheridan, WY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Supporting family caregivers
Description: Caregivers in Sheridan often face overwhelming responsibilities without clear guidance. Holy Name addressed this by hosting workshops on topics like legal planning, home health care and end-of-life decisions paired with respite care and shared meals. Volunteers organized sessions featuring expert advice and caregiver stories and provided resource books. "These workshops have been a blessing to me and so many in our community," one participant said. Plans include expanding the model statewide through guidebooks and training.
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 Wyoming State Office
1800 Carey Ave
Suite 400
Cheyenne, WY 82001
United States