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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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Woodbury, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: A vacant parking lot in downtown Woodbury offered no safe or inviting space for residents to gather. The FAF transformed it into LOT 323, a pop-up park with seating, shade, lighting and ADA-accessible features. The space hosted concerts, wellness events and live mural painting, drawing thousands and boosting volunteer engagement among older adults. "These events made me want to get involved," said one resident. The city has committed to continuing LOT 323 while plans for redevelopment move forward.
Alamogordo, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: When a major streetscape project threatened to cut off downtown access, Alamogordo MainStreet turned an unsafe alley into a welcoming corridor. Uneven surfaces and poor lighting were replaced with raised garden beds, ADA-compliant benches and pergolas with lighting. Eight murals were created by local artists and volunteers. The alley now hosts classes, food trucks and photo opportunities, and will provide safe access during construction. "Transforming our once overlooked alley into a vibrant, art-filled space is a game-changer... creating a sense of place and fostering community pride," said a city commissioner.
Montpelier, VT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To provide a place for cyclists and walkers to rest and socialize, this project developed a pocket park along an existing bike path. Guertin Pocket Park features a pergola -- a wooden structure with a roof -- to provide shelter from the sun or rain. Project organizers also incorporated seating and bike racks, as well as a rainwater collection system that feeds a small decorative garden. In 2021, the city decided to move the pocket park to a new location in the heart of downtown.
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!"
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.
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