Gettysburg, SD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Older residents who moved into apartments downtown lost space to garden, an activity that fosters social connection and food sharing. To address this, volunteers turned an empty lot into a community garden with raised beds for accessibility and hosted workshops on soil health and planting tips. A kickoff planting event brought neighbors together despite rain, and produce was donated to the local food pantry. The project sparked plans for more gardens and a mural featuring local artists age 50-plus. One couple said that this project allowed them to get involved with gardening again, share knowledge and help donate extra produce.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Reno, NV

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: The City of Reno transformed an underused area of Paradise Park into a community garden that addressed food access and social isolation among older adults. Many residents wanted affordable ways to grow fresh food and connect outdoors, but lacked spaces designed for regular participation. The project installed accessible raised beds and hosted gardening, nutrition and wellness activities throughout the season. Older adults played key roles in planting, harvesting and sharing produce, while volunteer days and intergenerational events kept the space active. Participants described the garden as a place to build routine and purpose. Partnerships formed through the project are supporting continued programming and long term use of the garden.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Woodbridge, VA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: To create a vibrant public space at the Woodbridge Senior Center, Keep Prince William Beautiful created a vegetable garden onsite. Organizers worked to repair raised beds -- designed to be accessible for gardeners of all ages and abilities -- and fill them with vegetable plants. Additionally, they installed a seating area at the Center's front entrance. All plants grown in the space are native to Northern Virginia and include pollinator-friendly species. The Center plans to cook with vegetables from the garden and organizers hope the improvements give older adults a beautiful outdoor gathering space.