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Town of Fries (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
Older adult residents in Fries faced limited access to fresh produce and few opportunities for physical activity, often having to choose between healthy food and fitness. The town transformed an empty lot beside the farmers market into a garden with six raised beds, landscaping and ADA-compliant benches. Materials for soil and tools were purchased to prepare for spring planting. The project sparked excitement among group members, creating a space for social engagement and healthier eating. Plans include annual expansion and community fundraisers. One participant noted the garden will help them stay active and afford nutritious food.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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See More Projects Like This One
Windham, CT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Older adults in Windham had few chances for social engagement and healthy activities, leaving many isolated. The local center added raised garden beds and offered tools and weekly sessions led by a master gardener. This created an inviting space that drew new participants and expanded partnerships. The garden is now a hub for connection and learning, reducing isolation and promoting well-being. One participant said the leader's passion for organic cultivation "kindled my interest and active participation."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Portland, OR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: An overgrown, sloped area once blocked access and limited community connection. Kindness Farm transformed it into a vibrant garden with medicinal and edible plants, a covered deck and an ADA-accessible ramp. More than 180 volunteers helped create the space and joined over 50 workshops on topics from regenerative gardening to construction skills. The new area now hosts educational programs, art and music gatherings, and will provide fresh produce for donation for decades. As one volunteer shared, "The new community gardening and gathering space has brought so many community members together already... and will continue to allow for more learning opportunities and accessibility."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Seattle, WA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project spruced up the rooftop Pike Place Market Secret Garden, allowing volunteer gardeners to produce more fruits and vegetables there. All produce grown in the garden is provided to the Pike Market Food Bank, with nearly 500 fresh herbs and vegetables donated each year. In addition, the garden hosts intergenerational activities organized by a nearby assisted living facility, a childcare center and a preschool. The Pike Market Food Bank also received an AARP Community Challenge grant in 2019, which allowed it to install directional signage to help visitors find its hard-to-reach location. Established in 1982, the Pike Place Market Foundation aims to help low-income and unhoused Seattle residents who live in the neighborhood.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Grayson County, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: Many residents of rural Grayson County lack internet access. To help them get information about the COVID-19 pandemic, Grayson County set up a phone hotline staffed by older adult volunteers. The service helped callers find out how to apply for financial assistance, where to find face masks or how to get help acquiring food or medicine. The County Emergency Services Coordinator trained the volunteers, ensuring they had accurate information during the pandemic's onset. Project organizers made sure the service was available 24 hours a day, with three shifts of volunteers available for calls and software to manage phone queues. The initiative's success spurred the Emergency Services Coordinator to commit funding to continue the helpline for future emergency situations.
Mount Airy, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Market Street lacked accessible seating and amenities, limiting its appeal for older adults and reducing opportunities for social interaction. The city installed picnic tables, two fully accessible benches, bike racks, recycling containers and decorative lighting to create a welcoming plaza. These upgrades encourage outdoor dining, leisure and mobility for people of all ages. Residents and business owners praised the changes for making the area more inviting. The city plans to promote the space for festivals and events, ensuring continued use and intergenerational appeal.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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