Glasgow, MT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places

Description: City leaders moved forward on an outdoor fitness court to address limited, affordable options for physical activity among older adults who lacked easy access to indoor facilities or transportation. The project resulted in a free, open-access fitness court installed in a central park near housing, downtown services and the local hospital, making it easy to use at any time. The court offers simple strength and movement equipment designed to support everyday fitness without fees or memberships. Early use shows the space drawing older adults who want to stay active outdoors and connect with others. One resident story described a 99-year-old man excited that the new court would help keep the community moving. The project expanded opportunities for regular exercise and set the stage for volunteer-led fitness programs that can help older adults build routines and social ties over time.

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

Camp Hill, PA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places

Description: This Foundation sought to reduce barriers that kept older adults and people with disabilities from enjoying outdoor recreation, including transportation challenges, limited access to equipment and uncertainty about how to participate. The project created educational materials, trained volunteers, offered skill-building sessions and launched gear-lending libraries so residents could try activities without cost. Partnerships with local community centers helped provide transportation to parks and forests. These efforts increased participation and built confidence among older adults, while volunteers and partners learned how to support inclusive recreation. One participant noted that barrier-removal training sparked practical ideas that made nature feel more accessible.

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

Honolulu, HI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places

Description: The Age-Friendly Honolulu initiative launched Kind2Kupuna, a public awareness campaign to help shops, restaurants, health care providers and other public-facing businesses better serve older adults. While preparing the campaign, Age-Friendly Honolulu found the most common complaints kupuna had about shopping were difficulties reaching items on shelves, poor customer service and employees failing to smile or not making eye contact. To address these issues, they created a poster featuring ten culturally appropriate tips, including start with aloha, be mindful of memory loss, step into their shoes and make it readable. "A workforce that is more aware and equipped to accommodate physical and cognitive changes with age will be better able to support older adults in many ways, both big and small," Hawaii Pacific University Vice President Sam Moku said.