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Walton County Board of County Commissioners (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
Older adults in Walton County had few options for outdoor recreation and social connection. To address this, the county transformed a library courtyard into a gaming garden with a ping-pong table, chess table and corn hole set. These additions created a welcoming space for residents to gather and stay active. The project introduced a new venue for multigenerational interaction and prompted plans for future upgrades, including walkways to improve accessibility.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Gastonia, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services beautified a public space near Gastonia's Schiele Museum and the town's library. To encourage residents to get out and walk, the Department added a sidewalk mural at the library, which depicts astronauts on a spacewalk. Museum staff installed an outdoor exhibit about the Solar System. In addition, project organizers commissioned a local metalworks shop to create benches with a celestial theme. Other placemaking enhancements included adding planters and new graphic designs to adorn the nearby transit shelter, as well an amenity map display to help visitors locate nearby trails and greenspace.
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.
Fairfield, WA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: A split-level design left the church basement and kitchen off-limits to older adults and people with mobility challenges, limiting access to meals and classes. The church upgraded electrical systems, lighting and appliances, then hosted a Fiesta Gratitude Dinner for 89 residents, most age 50-plus. Volunteers led planning and preparation, sparking renewed engagement among older members. These improvements set the stage for more inclusive meals and cooking classes, reducing isolation and sharing skills like food preservation to strengthen community ties.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Bonifay, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public safety interventions
Description: Waukesha Way set out to improve walkability in areas where older adults struggled with unsafe crossings and limited places to rest. The team painted five high-visibility crosswalks and added ten benches that made moving through downtown safer and more comfortable. These changes encouraged more physical activity and helped residents spend time in public spaces with confidence. A volunteer noted how small improvements can spark big change, reinforcing the value of bringing people together to refresh key areas. The work strengthened community pride, supported long-term walkability goals and laid the groundwork for future enhancements such as shaded seating and murals.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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