Kennett Square, PA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: With the goal of supporting small businesses downtown, this project created the first parklet in Kennett Square. Before installing the mini-park, only one side of the borough's main street featured wide sidewalks and could be closed to vehicles on the weekends. Project organizers hoped to expand the space available for outdoor dining and gathering. To do this, the Historic Kennett Square repurposed three on-street parking spaces, installing deck flooring, adding overhead string lights and setting out picnic tables and planters. Four restaurants -- two coffee shops and two restaurants -- used the space. Volunteers designed the parklet be torn down ahead of the winter months and set back up in the spring. Project organizers say the parklet helped demonstrate the value of placemaking projects.

West Chester, PA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: This project installed ADA-compliant seating and tables, plus a security camera, to an underused terrace outside the library.

Opelika, AL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: This project installed an outdoor game station in an underutilized public space, so residents and visitors could have fun while spending time downtown.