AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
Shreveport Common Inc. (2020) Print
2020 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
As they worked toward neighborhood revitalization, organizers with Shreveport Common saw potential for two vacant lots covered in crumbling concrete. They cleaned up the site to create Caddo Common Park. By installing seating and umbrellas for shade, this project completed the activation by adding the Art Bosque Food Truck Court to the new park. Organizers specifically chose ADA-compliant seating options, hoping to make the area near the park's pavilion accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Prior to the park's completion, the neighborhood's residents lived in a green space desert, with no nearby outdoor gathering spaces. Project organizers say Shreveport Common filled this gap just as hundreds of new affordable apartments were set to open nearby.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Houston, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Many residents of Houston's Gulfton neighborhood live in apartment buildings, which lack outdoor space. Organizers with My Connect Community set out to give these residents a place to gather. They created a placemaking tool kit tailored to multifamily property owners. The kit includes portable carts adorned with laser-cut designs meant to represent Gulfton's diversity. Each cart also features a shade umbrella and a chalkboard. Additionally, the kits include outdoor rugs, bistro lighting and seating. Then My Connect Community hosted a series of pop-up events on side streets and in on-street parking spaces. The temporary activations gave Gulfton residents a chance to socialize with one another and allowed organizers to share information about community resources, such as public transit service and library programming. In the future, My Connect Community hopes to ensure community events are culturally informed and engage volunteers who speak residents' languages.
Oakland, MS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Oakland's center for older adults sat in an uninviting area with few options for outdoor activity. To change that, the Chamber converted a vacant slab into the town's first pickleball court and added a pocket park with benches, shade and lockers for equipment. Volunteers helped install fencing and signage, and lighting is underway to improve safety. The court has become a hub for social connection and exercise, especially for older adults living nearby. As one resident said, "I had never heard of pickleball. I can't wait to learn how to play."
Gardner, KS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To generate community support for a planned greenspace in Gardiner, the City created a parklet. Organizers hoped the temporary installation -- created in the footprint of two on-street parking spaces -- would help residents envision the value of outdoor space improvements coming soon to city hall. The pop-up space consists of benches, a table, planters and shade canopies. The parklet's portable, modular design makes the space reconfigurable, allowing the City to set it up different locations -- even after implementation of its long-term park project.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Minden, LA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Louisiana's intense summer heat left Dixie Inn's park nearly empty, limiting outdoor activity and social connection. To make the space usable, the village installed shade sails over benches, creating cool, sheltered spots that also offer protection from light rain. Volunteers helped with installation, and the sails were placed to maximize comfort. The change has drawn more residents, including older adults, to walk, rest and visit. "I walk the neighborhood for exercise and am pleased to have the sails to sit under and rest," said one resident.
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 Louisiana State Office
301 Main Street
Suite 1012
Baton Rouge, LA 70825
United States