Highmore, SD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: When Highmore's aging pool closed, older adults lost a safe space for exercise and social connection. With a median age of 55, the community rallied to build a new pool designed for accessibility, featuring zero-depth entry, an ADA lift, heated water and shaded seating. A new bathhouse with accessible restrooms and showers was added, along with benches and shade structures. Residents say the project restored pride and will support water aerobics, lap swimming and physical therapy, creating a vital resource for health and community life.

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

Foley, AL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: Organizers thought Foley Park -- a small green space next to a middle school -- had untapped potential. Foley Main Street and the City of Foley transformed the park into a local music destination. Redubbing the space Freenotes Harmony Park, Foley Main Street installed a collection of outdoor musical instruments, including contrabass chimes, an orange swirl, a yellow imbraimba and rainbow drums. The instruments are designed to be easy to play -- similar to a xylophone, the imbarimba has 22 fiberglass keys of varying lengths, which sit atop metal chimes. Visitors can play the instrument by striking the keys with the attached mallets. The instruments weren't the only upgrade to the pocket park. The City also assed an amphitheater with lights, power outlets and an ADA-compliant stage. Since their installation, the instruments have created an outdoor classroom for middle school students on weekdays, as well as a gathering place for residents of all ages on evenings and weekends.

Leipsic, OH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: The Village of Leipsic installed a firepit with a pergola and adult swings in Bennett Park. The Village also provided permanent outdoor games for people of all ages, including four concrete cornhole boards and an outdoor checkers and chess board. Before these upgrades, community members considered the park a work in progress. But this project sparked additional investment in the park, including work to fix a drainage issue affecting a nearby playground. "Bennett Park is an outstanding athletic complex being enhanced by a new community track, this funding will allow us to further develop playground and family attractions in our newest park," Village Administrator Justin Barnhart said.