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Village of Champlain (2019) Print
2019 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
The Village of Champlain constructed a freestanding launch for kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards on the Great Chazy River, complete with a gangway to help visitors easily board their boats. A local firm designed and donated materials to add an accessible rail to the launch and the Village has explored setting up a rental system for visitors who do not own a kayak or other boat. Since installation, more individuals from the Village of Champlain and surrounding communities are able to enjoy the river.
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Woodburn, OR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Senior Estates Park lacked amenities for social gatherings and recreation, limiting opportunities for older adults to connect. The city added a fenced off-leash dog park and a 20-by-30 picnic shelter with ADA-accessible tables, trash receptacles and a drinking fountain with a dog bowl. These upgrades created a dry, covered space for family events and a safe area for dogs to play. The improvements are increasing park use, providing older adults with a convenient venue for social interaction and make the park a year-round destination for community celebrations.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Belchertown, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: A revitalized walkway near the Senior Center lacked seating, discouraging older adults and those with cognitive impairments from taking longer walks. To address this, six sturdy benches were installed along Carriage Drive, secured on concrete slabs and surrounded by grass. Outreach included a ribbon-cutting event that drew residents age 50-plus. The benches now offer safe resting spots, encouraging more time outdoors and improving well-being. Plans for additional benches are underway. One participant said she was proud to live in a town that invests in projects showing care for older adults.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Metuchen, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: A car-focused downtown left few places for pedestrians to rest or connect. The alliance transformed a corner near the local adult center into a conversational landscape with benches, a custom mosaic table and refreshed planters. A ribbon cutting drew nearby residents who praised the new seating and art. The space now encourages conversation and walkability. One resident said she was "thrilled" to finally have a place to sit during her daily walks, and the art element has sparked community engagement and future programming.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
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.
Swanton, VT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: As part of efforts to redevelop its downtown, the Village of Swanton has worked to makes streets more accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. To build community support, the Village staged a one-day traffic calming demonstration. Using hay bales and planters, the community created a barrier to separate the village's parking area from travel lanes, which successfully slowed down vehicle traffic. They also created bump-outs to shorten the distance needed to cross the street and make pedestrians more visible to passing drivers. During the pop-up, residents had the opportunity to make suggestions for long-term streetscape improvements. Following the demonstration, the Village planted trees along busy streets as a traffic calming measure. The Village also established a task force to look at other opportunities for future demonstration projects to test street infrastructure improvements.
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