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Wellsburg Urban Renewal Authority with Brooke County AARP (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
Wellsburgs Town Square was underused and unsafe for older adults due to uneven brick pavers and limited seating. The project restored 9,000 square feet of pavers, added tables and chairs including an ADA-accessible option and installed murals to brighten vacant storefronts. These upgrades made the space safer and more inviting for daily use and events, such as a childrens' Halloween party. The improvements even sparked interest from a developer to revitalize nearby buildings, signaling long-term impact.
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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See More Projects Like This One
El Rito, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The El Rito Library has long been a gathering place for residents of rural Rio Arriba County -- an area of New Mexico that lacks public spaces for people to socialize. To make its campus more inviting, the library added benches, bike repair stations, tables and chairs and native landscaping to its outdoor space. Organizers hope the improvements allow visitors to deepen social connections with one another. In the future, the library plans to add to the upgrades by constructing a stage for performances and exploring the possibility of installing solar panels.
Cuthbert, GA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Andrew College activated an empty space in downtown Cuthbert into a practical, attractive gathering space, which they dubbed Magnolia Alley. Two murals by Andrew College artists already decorated the alley, since the college hosts events in the adjoining square. To make the space more useable for famers markets, art receptions and other gatherings, volunteers added benches, lighting and a hardwood pergola to provide shade.
Willcox, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Despite years of neglect, the Heritage Courtyard represents a beloved and beautiful part of Willcox's downtown. To make the space more welcoming to residents of all ages, Willcox Theater and Arts -- whose building is adjacent to the courtyard -- installed benches, bulletin boards and planters. Additionally, a local craftsman constructed a new gateway for the space, which is coated in copper to pay homage to Arizona's mining history. The courtyard contributes to downtown walkability and is first project in the town's Downtown Revitalization Plan, paving the way for future community improvements. The City plans to use the park for special events, exhibits and storytelling activities.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Wellsburg, WV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Wellsburg's parks offered few options for older adults, and pickleball's growing popularity highlighted the lack of courts and seating. The project added two new courts, ADA-compliant picnic tables and a memo board, creating a more inclusive space for play and socializing. These upgrades reduced wait times and sparked new partnerships and plans for tournaments. One longtime player said, "Before, we had to drag big wooden picnic tables... Now, we have the luxury of having our own tables!"
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Wheeling, WV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Warwood lacked a safe, accessible space for growing food and connecting neighbors, leaving older adults with few options for activity and healthy eating. Volunteers transformed a vacant lot into the Loveland Community Garden with 20 raised beds, a storage shed, fencing and benches designed for accessibility. Level paths and recycled-plastic benches made gardening possible for those with mobility challenges. The garden now fosters intergenerational ties, with older adults sharing tips and students forming clubs. Plans for workshops and selling excess crops at local markets promise lasting community engagement.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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