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Morgantown, WV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Many older adults in Morgantown do errands on foot. But patrons of the city's senior centers reported they often needed to sit and take a break while walking downtown. Unfortunately, the downtown area lacked suitable seating options. To make the space more welcoming, the City of Morgantown installed accessible benches throughout the business district. Project organizers say the new seating has sparked enthusiasm for additional downtown improvements. Additionally, the seating is allowing more people to walk to local shops, restaurants, doctors' offices and other amenities.
Opelika, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Organizers with Opelika Main Street hoped to draw more visitors downtown. To do this, they activated an underused public space by adding outdoor games. Volunteers installed a giant, colorful chess and checkers set, suitable for people of all ages to enjoy. Organizers say the new game center represents a safe place for residents of all ages to gather.
Somerville, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project paired local youth with graduate students to evaluate walkability and bikeability in Somerset. Youth ambassadors engaged with members of their community to identify barriers to walking and biking, as well as opportunities to make active transportation safer and more comfortable. Based on their findings, the students decided to construct a parklet in Somerville's Bound Brook neighborhood. The mini-park -- which sits in the footprint of a parking spot -- extends the sidewalk space into the roadway. The parklet is modular, allowing the student ambassadors to set it up at community events, including weekly farmers market and movie nights. Organizers hope the temporary space offers residents an attractive place to stop, sit and to rest while taking in activities on the street. Youth who participated in the project worked alongside local leaders and made intergenerational connections -- all while learning how to advocate for their community.
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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.
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