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Dodge City, KS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: This project created murals in the downtown district reflecting the area's history and diversity.
North Hero, VT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: In a rural town where isolation is common among older adults, the library created an outdoor space to foster connection and creativity. It installed a circular word garden with etched stones and ADA-compliant benches, complemented by raised beds. A kickoff event drew residents to arrange words into poems and phrases. The garden is now a permanent feature that brings grandparents and grandchildren together. As one visitor said, "My niece didn't even want to come to the library, but after playing with the word garden, she doesn't want to leave."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Hendersonville, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Herdersonville has two discrete downtown districts and recently created a safe pedestrian pathway to connect them. Friends of Downtown Hendersonville's initiative beautified the path and dubbed it the Downtown Art Route. First, the organization held an art contest. Then volunteers painted three winning designs onto the path's pavement. The Hendo Bee Line mural depicts pollinator flowers, while another mural features five hands spelling the word Hendo in American Sign Language. A third stretch of sidewalk showcases artwork depicting bears in a mountain landscape. Since the project completed, organizers are looking for locations to install more public art in the future.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Minden, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: The city will build a covered shelter as part of rebuilding Kahler Park after a devastating tornado. The shelter will support gatherings, programs and longer park visits, helping people reconnect and stay active outdoors.
Omaha, NE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: To activate a city-owned vacant lot in North Omaha, the City of Omaha installed accessible planters -- built by a local community gardening organization -- that accommodate gardening from a standing or sitting position. A local artist worked with local elementary school children, helping them create murals depicting their aspirations. In addition, the project included a community chalk wall, where residents can leave inspiring messages. To improve a nearby bus stop, the City purchased installed benches. The art and new outdoor furnishings were in pace in time for a fall festival at the site, which organizers hope will occur annually.
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