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Highmore, SD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: When Highmore's aging pool closed, older adults lost a safe space for exercise and social connection. With a median age of 55, the community rallied to build a new pool designed for accessibility, featuring zero-depth entry, an ADA lift, heated water and shaded seating. A new bathhouse with accessible restrooms and showers was added, along with benches and shade structures. Residents say the project restored pride and will support water aerobics, lap swimming and physical therapy, creating a vital resource for health and community life.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
West St. Paul, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Kennedy Park was underused and lacked features for all ages, leaving older adults without inviting spaces. The city hosted three engagement events - a community meal, a movie night and a paint-the-pavement mural. These were attended by more than 200 participants. It also added a recreation trailer for pop-up activities and commissioned an artist-designed bench to provide seating. These efforts rebuilt trust and shaped a new concept plan for the park, sparked an arts initiative and secured new funding. One resident said that they were extremely thankful the designs reflected the community's vision.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
West Monroe, LA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: The Sunken Gardens at Kiroli Park had deteriorated, leaving older adults without a safe, peaceful space to enjoy nature. The city renovated the garden by installing benches as well as iron arches and trellises. It also added native plants with signage and built a platform over a stream. The restored site now offers an accessible spot for relaxation and will host cultural events during the park's centennial. One volunteer said, "As someone over the age of 50, I believe the renovated Sunken Gardens... will be a calm, peaceful location for people of all ages to walk, sit and enjoy nature."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Toledo, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: Transportation gaps left patients waiting at an unsheltered bus stop and missing care. The clinic built an ADA-compliant bus shelter with seating and posted resources, launched a rideshare program and created a transportation toolkit to help residents plan safe, reliable trips. These changes improve access to healthcare and mobility for older adults and others facing barriers, while influencing city plans for walkability and inspiring similar efforts in other communities.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Toledo, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To transform a vacant lot into a pocket park, Salem Lutheran Church installed benches at the site. Inspired by the improvements, community members contributed donations to construct concrete pads for the benches and add trash receptacles nearby. The Church also built a pergola to provide shade at a nearby bus stop, making it the only stop with shelter in the immediate neighborhood. Project organizers engaged local teenagers to help with installation, who volunteered alongside residents. Salem Lutheran Church has since continued its efforts to revitalize North Toledo, hosting a summer youth program to build a community garden for the neighborhood.
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