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Klamath Falls, OR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: A clearly marked walking path and easy‑to‑read wayfinding signs will be installed around a Senior Center. These upgrades will make it safer and easier for older adults to walk, stay active and navigate the property.

Tallahassee, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: The Goodwood Museum and Gardens revitalized a historic roller rink, transforming it into a gathering space for outdoor activities. The rink -- originally built in 1916 -- sat vacant for years, but the Museum saw potential for the 10,000-square-foot site. Accessibility was a main goal for project organizers, so the Museum installed an ADA-compliant sidewalk, ramp and handrails. They also added lighting to increase safety at the site, levelled the rink's concrete surface, added landscaping and upgraded electrical wiring. These enhancements attracted community partners to the space, including the Irish Repertory Theater and the Southern Shakespeare Company. Today the site hosts a monthly live performance featuring local musicians, along with other community activities.

Readfield, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Readfield's Age-Friendly Committee set out to enhance the town's public spaces and draw the community together. They purchased outdoor furniture to activate two spaces -- one outside the local public library and the other at Readfield Beach on Maranacook Lake. The beach's moveable Adirondack chairs give visitors a change to interact with each other. Additionally, the tables and chairs at the library allow residents to access free Wi-Fi service, even when the library building is closed. Library visitors of all wages can also rest there after enjoying the nearby story walk.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Chattanooga, TN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Supporting family caregivers

Description: Family caregivers often face stress and health risks without resources to support their well-being. Lighthouse launched a 12-week program with four pillars: healthy living through gardening and nutrition tips, financial literacy, caregiver advocacy and mental health support. Participants received food boxes, learned to grow produce and used a new self-care manual. One caregiver said the guide helped her advocate for a loved one after a stroke, calling it life-saving. The program will continue refining its approach to sustain impact.

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

Chattanooga, TN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Digital navigation skills

Description: To help combat social isolation, the City of Chattanooga's Department of Youth and Family Development provided older adults with Chromebooks, mouses and hotspots to allow them to connect to the internet. Additionally, the City offered digital skills classes at several locations to help them use the devices. Project organizers say the COVID-19 pandemic limited opportunities for social interaction for many residents. This project provided vulnerable residents with internet access and know-how, allowing them to build and maintain interpersonal relationships.

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