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Holy Cross, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: In a very rural community with no nearby recreation options, many older adults lacked a free, low-impact way to stay active without traveling long distances. The Committee led a volunteer-driven renovation of an aging tennis court and added accessible pickleball courts with seating. Residents worked side by side to complete the project, turning construction days into a shared community effort. The courts were used daily once completed, with volunteers seeing grandparents playing pickleball with grandchildren and visitors being directed to the courts by family members. By creating a no-cost activity close to home, the project encouraged regular movement, strengthened social ties and reestablished the park as a central gathering place older adults can rely on.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Hattiesburg, MS
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Duncan Lake Park in Hattiesburg's East Jerusalem neighborhood is popular with residents, yet many of the park's amenities were in disrepair. To give the park new life, Hattiesburg Landmark Preservation refurbished picnic tables with new tops featuring painted checkerboards. They also installed new benches, added a wheelchair-accessible sidewalk and created two murals depicting native plants and animals. Today, the park hosts free arts programming for residents of all ages.
Bridgewater, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Two outdoor water bottle fillers with ADA accessible fountains and pet bowls will be installed at a popular town park. These additions will help park users stay hydrated and spend more time outdoors.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
St. Thomas, VI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: The Virgin Islands Council on the Arts commissioned local artists -- all of whom were older adults -- to create four murals at a local recreational complex. Intended to extend the Yacht Haven Public Arts Initiative into more neighborhoods, the new murals focus on Virgin Islanders' heritage and history. Subject matter includes an ocean vista with sail boats, a scene from everyday Island life and an homage to local athletes. Project organizers say they hope the new public art instills a sense of neighborhood identity and adds color to walls that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Charlotte Amalie, VI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Lifelong housing and accessibility
Description: Older residents in public housing often missed visitors and deliveries because hearing loss made it hard to hear knocks, leaving them isolated and at risk. To address this, the housing authority installed 200 multi-sensory doorbells that provide visual, auditory and tactile alerts, and volunteers offered one-on-one orientations and shared other services. A territory-wide radio campaign promoted the program. The devices improved safety and independence, helping residents age in place and stay connected. One resident said that the doorbell has been very helpful and necessary addition for him, reflecting the confidence these upgrades bring.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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