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Wasilla Area Seniors Inc. (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
Organizers with Wasilla Area Seniors hoped their new community garden would be a therapeutic space for older adults. But the garden lacked places to sit and rest. Responding to older adults' requests for seating, project organizers added nine accessible benches to the site's trail and gardens. Additionally, they installed additional raised planters, which allow people of all abilities to garden. The improvements also precipitated the creation of the Mat-Su Seed Library group. Organizers say garden gives older adults a reason to leave their homes and socialize with others.
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Albany, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The Underground Railroad Education Center constructed an accessible, indoor garden in the Arbor Hill neighborhood, whose residents lack access to fresh produce and gardening space. Designed for year-round use, the new hoop house represents an intergenerational collaboration between younger and older adults. Local teenagers created and installed planters and now help grow food there. Albany businesses and volunteers also contributed to the project by building benches for the site. Today, the Center grows produce, such as lettuce, in the greenhouse, which it donates to people in the community.
San Antonio, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Older adults needed better access to fresh food, active learning and social connection. Gardopia launched a community garden at the Senior Center, engaging 43 participants in hands-on installation, offering eight classes, wellness activities and installing raised beds with irrigation. Two participants completed an intensive master class to lead peers as the garden matures. A field visit to the microfarm boosted confidence and connection, and the garden will reach full productivity in Spring 2026 to support ongoing food access and active aging.
Palmer, AK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project created raised gardening beds, designed to be accessible for gardeners who use wheelchairs. Volunteers constructed two dozen planter boxes and benches, which project organizers then set up in several locations, including at senior housing complexes community and senior centers, on a town main street and at a community garden. The project also created educational programming to teach older adult residents about adaptive and accessible gardening. Organizers say they hope maintaining the new planters will give people access to fresh food, as well as the opportunity to socialize.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Houston, AK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Older adults and residents with mobility challenges had limited access to a riverfront area due to unsafe parking and difficult entry points. The City of Houston added a clearly marked parking lot with accessible spaces and improved access to nearby park features, reducing congestion and making the space easier to use. Additional upgrades included seating, signage and a playground that support safe walking, gathering and recreation. One older resident said the changes made it easier to visit with her grandchildren while enjoying the walking paths and time with neighbors. The improvements expanded daily use and created infrastructure to serve residents over time.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: In partnership with Great Land Trust and Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation constructed an ADA-accessible, scenic overlook viewing platform at the newly opened Settlers Bay Coastal Park. The platform, which includes a safety railing and seating, allows visitors of all abilities to enjoy the panoramic views at Mat-Su Valley's first and only coastal park. Prior to the development of Settlers Bay Coastal Park, locals lacked access to public lands for outdoor recreation. At an unveiling event for the new platform, the Great Land Trust announced they had acquired an additional 180 acres of land adjacent to the existing park, expanding the total permanently protected land area to 500 acres.
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