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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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Browning, MT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project enhanced the Eagle Shield Senior Center's outdoor space, adding canopy swings, as well as fencing and landscaping. Project organizers hope the outdoor area becomes an age-friendly gathering space, giving Blackfeet elders a place to share their culture and language with each other -- and with future generations.
Tallahassee, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The Goodwood Museum and Gardens revitalized a historic roller rink, transforming it into a gathering space for outdoor activities. The rink -- originally built in 1916 -- sat vacant for years, but the Museum saw potential for the 10,000-square-foot site. Accessibility was a main goal for project organizers, so the Museum installed an ADA-compliant sidewalk, ramp and handrails. They also added lighting to increase safety at the site, levelled the rink's concrete surface, added landscaping and upgraded electrical wiring. These enhancements attracted community partners to the space, including the Irish Repertory Theater and the Southern Shakespeare Company. Today the site hosts a monthly live performance featuring local musicians, along with other community activities.
Clearmont, WY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Uneven ground and muddy conditions around the historical center made it difficult for visitors with mobility challenges to reach the building, limiting participation by older adults and wheelchair users. Clearmont Historical Group addressed these barriers by building a new deck and installing a concrete sidewalk that provides a safer, more reliable route between the center and a nearby park. Improved lighting and seating expanded how the space could be used, including for gatherings and evening programs. Volunteers, many age 50 or over, helped complete the work, reinforcing local ownership of the site. Since the improvements, attendance has increased and more residents with varying mobility needs are able to take part in open houses and programs, strengthening the center role as an accessible place to gather and share local history.
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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