Mattapan, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Older adults and residents with mobility challenges faced hazards and limited access at two Boston community gardens. A collapsed walkway created unsafe conditions, and deteriorated raised beds prevented those with physical limitations from gardening. The Trustees repaired the walkway by filling a sinkhole and installing a wide, level brick path at Southwest Corridor Community Farm. At Savin & Maywood Community Garden, they demolished broken beds and built four new handicapped-accessible raised beds with help from volunteers. Residents expressed gratitude, noting the upgrades made the gardens welcoming for "gardeners of all ages and abilities."

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

Montpelier, VT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Older residents faced barriers to affordable fresh produce and lacked a welcoming space to gather. The project launched weekly pop-up farm-stand events outside the local center, offering low-cost food grown at the city's Feast Farm. A mobile stand, shade tent and signage were added, and volunteers-including many age 50-plus-helped run events featuring music and cooking demos. The farm stand became a seasonal hub for social connection and healthy eating. One volunteer said it was "wonderful to see all the fresh produce and feel part of something." Plans include continuing the farm stand and expanding different programs.

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

Boston, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Wakullah Street Community Garden worked to remove access barriers that limited older adults from fully using a long-standing neighborhood garden. Uneven paths, limited seating and low lighting reduced safety and shortened visits, making it harder to gather and garden. The project cleared and reoriented pathways toward shared seating areas, added lighting and prepared the site for benches, internet access and a greenhouse. Older adults volunteered alongside neighbors to shape the upgrades and plan how the space should function. Early improvements increased participation and time spent in the garden, while planned additions position the space for longer hours and resident-led activities. The work supports safer access, stronger social connection and continued use of the garden as a shared community space.

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