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Town of Londonderry (2019) Print
2019 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Accessibility of amenities
└ Accessibility of amenities
To increase accessibility in its public spaces, the Town of Londonderry installed ten park benches in the Town Common and adjacent Kent Allen Town Forest. This accessibility upgrade sparked additional work there, including drainage improvements and the addition of native plants to the forest. In addition, the local Girl Scout troop installed a story book trail at the site. Since adding the benches, the town has also seen increased trail usage.
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See More Projects Like This One
Virginia City, MT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: Virginia City's historic library and museum were inaccessible to many older adults and visitors with mobility challenges. The project funded a six-month accessibility study, including public workshops and an online survey, resulting in a detailed report with prioritized improvements. It also produced schematic designs for ramps and parking. The effort raised awareness and prompted officials to include access goals in planning documents. One older adult who is a resident said he stopped visiting because of stairs and urged changes so he could "check out books and DVDs like he used to."
Cheyenne, OK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: Older adults and residents with mobility challenges struggled to access all areas of the Rook Event Center because temporary wooden handrails were unstable and unsafe. Friends of the Rook replaced them with permanent, ADA-compliant handrails at key locations, including the top level, doorway transition and patio ramp. Volunteers assisted with design and cleanup. The new handrails improved safety and accessibility, enabling older adults to navigate the space confidently. At a recent fundraiser, many used the handrails to reach the lower level, and the project sparked community interest in further accessibility upgrades.
Jacksonville, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: Visitors lacked safe seating in the cemetery's main lobby after an infinity pool was drained due to falls, leaving older adults and people with disabilities without a comfortable place to rest or check grave information. Volunteers transformed the space into a dignified seating area with teak benches, marble accents and flags representing military branches. They also added lighting and plaques for a welcoming design. The new area now offers a safe, attractive spot for veterans and families to gather and connect. The dedication drew strong community turnout and sparked interest from other cemeteries to replicate the design.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Litchfield, NH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project will install a removable aluminum dock with a ramp at Darrah Pond in Roy Memorial Park, providing accessible fishing opportunities for older adults and people with disabilities.
Derry, NH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To encourage community bonding and intergenerational connections, the Marion Gerrish Community Center created an outdoor space for people to play games. The Center chose large games -- including cornhole, bocce, Jenga, Connect Four, Yardzee, Farkel, chess and checkers -- that would be easy to play and visible from the street. They made the area designated for the games level, ensuring it would be accessible and safe. The Center offers weekly times for older adults to play cornhole and bocce. Community members can sign out the games for use on the property and the Center also loans them out for local events, including Derry Fest, the Derry Farmers Market and the local police departments' National Nite Out.
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