See More Projects Like This One

Iola, KS

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Limited infrastructure and seasonal constraints made gardening difficult for older adults and families. The project added raised beds, a greenhouse and a solar-powered system to run a pond pump, along with a worktable, soil and seeds. These upgrades created an accessible space for growing food and learning. The garden now produces vegetables for donation and serves as an educational hub for teaching gardening and food preparation. Plans include hosting a children's camp and expanding community involvement.

Jackson, KY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Flooded green space in Jackson left older adults with few options for healthy activity or fresh food. The district converted the area into community gardens with raised beds and buckets, inviting older adults from six counties to plant and maintain crops. Volunteers helped build the beds, and produce was shared locally. At one site, adults harvested enough tomatoes and cucumbers to make pickles and juice together, turning the project into a social experience that boosted physical and mental health.

Stone Mountain, GA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Immigrant and refugee growers in Stone Mountain needed better resources and infrastructure to farm collectively. The grant funded upgrades at two sites-Indian Creek MARTA Station Farm and North Dekalb Mall Garden-adding land improvements, garden tools, seed bins and picnic tables. These enhancements created safer, more functional spaces for older adults and strengthened community engagement. Both gardens are now part of long-term plans, including a partnership with Atlanta's transit authority and integration into a major mixed-use redevelopment. This helps position growers to sell produce locally and sustain food access.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

AK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing

Description: Alaska faces a fast-growing older population and a shortage of affordable housing, yet many municipalities lack ordinances for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). To address this, the league researched statewide policies, created a best practices guide and ordinance template, and shared strategies through targeted outreach. The effort prompted interest from local leaders, with communities planning ADU ordinances and requesting technical assistance. "We loved having an easy-to-read publication that was Alaska specific", one council member said, underscoring how the project simplified complex housing issues and accelerated local action.

Anchorage, AK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety

Description: Alaska Trails worked with Bike Anchorage to shape sustainable transportation in Anchorage. The two organizations educated residents about the city's Non-Motorized Transportation Plan, an effort to integrate bike, pedestrian and train networks into a multi-modal system. They also informed residents about Anchorage's Complete Streets policy, which aims to remake city streets to safely accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers and bus riders of all ages and abilities. In addition, Alaska Trails supported Safe Routes to School, an initiative that promotes walking and bicycling to school. This outreach effort included social media posts, print and television news coverage and a newsletter. Alaska Trails continues to work to encourage locals to use the state's trails and each year Bike Anchorage holds a Winter Bike Fest to promote cycling in the city.

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