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Tri County Community Action Mission (2017) Print
2017 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
Vacant lots in Harrisburg's Allison Hill neighborhood -- which make up about a third of the neighborhood's land area -- were overgrown with weeds and debris, attracted crime and often served as illegal dumping sites. To address this, the Tri County Community Organization set out to clean up eight lots. Volunteers cleared the sites of debris, installed fencing and planted low-maintenance grass that only grows to six inches in height. "This project opens up the space so that there's no place to hide for crime, so this project really helps to bring beauty to the neighborhood," Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator Donnell Brown said. Now that the lots are cleaned up, project organizers hope the spaces will help raise property values, as well as provide residents with a gathering space.
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See More Projects Like This One
Avoca, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Avoca's Main Street already had green space and places to sit, but Avoca Public Library organizers wanted to give residents a reason to spend time downtown. To invite people in, they installed oversized, weather-proof musical instruments outside the library. Since the instruments don't require any training or talent to play, they are popular with residents of all ages. Part of the town's creative placemaking plans, the new music park is located near the site of Avoca's weekly summer farmer's market. "It's a fun part of the town now," Avoca resident Sunshine Schoeller said.
Veneta, OR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff at the Fern Ridge Public Library were determined to offer a safe outdoor space for residents to congregate. When a large, centuries-old Heritage Oak tree fell on library grounds, they took the opportunity to construct a courtyard, enlisting local artists to create benches from the tree's wood. To make the space inviting, volunteers planted native Oregonian plants and laid down gravel to create an accessible pathway. What had been a weed-covered yard became a peaceful seating area for casual meetings, quiet reading and public performances.
Durbin, WV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Durbin faced unsafe walking conditions after dark, with steep roads and few sidewalks, discouraging outdoor activity for older adults. To address this, the town repaired a hazardous stairway to Main Street, added benches throughout town, installed a wheelchair-accessible picnic table and placed ADA-compliant trash receptacles. These improvements made public spaces safer and more inviting, encouraging residents to walk and gather. A former mayor noted appreciation for the safer stairway, saying it showed the community that "someone does care" and sparked hope for continued revitalization.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Camp Hill, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places
Description: This project will improve access to outdoor recreation by addressing barriers for older adults and individuals with disabilities. It includes skill-building sessions, transportation, gear lending libraries, and an all-terrain wheelchair.
Millersburg, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Gardeners faced a cumbersome irrigation setup that required long walks and manual water activation, making maintenance difficult for older adults. The borough installed a permanent underground water line and yard hydrant near the garden entrance, replacing a temporary hose system. This upgrade simplified watering and boosted accessibility. The garden now produces thousands of pounds of organic food for local distribution, and participants anticipate expanded use for therapeutic gardening. One gardener said, "Watering is SO much easier now" and noted how lack of water pressure had made garden upkeep difficult prior to the project.
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