AARP Eye Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
Wilmington Renaissance Corporation (2019) Print
2019 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
As part of its efforts to turn several vacant lots into the 7th and West Streets Park, the Wilmington Alliance (then known as the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation) created a community garden onsite. The Alliance constructed a storage shed and raised-bed gardens, along with two beds for blueberry and raspberry bushes. The shed has lighting, a community bulletin board and a countertop workspace for gardeners. To offer gardeners expertise and support, project organizers also recruited a neighbor to serve as farmer-in-residence. During planning for the new park -- located on a remediated brownfield site -- residents specifically requested a vegetable garden. Today, the garden makes up one-third of the park. The green space has become a staple in the community, and the neighbors have embraced the opportunities the garden presents, said Laura Semmelroth, director of creative placemaking.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Newport, NH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project turned a vacant lot into a dog park and community garden, both fully ADA accessible, with walkways, benches and raised-bed gardens.
Long Beach, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project will build a community comal -- or traditional griddle -- and engage older Meso-American women to revive the weekly tradition of tortilla making. This initiative will foster intergenerational connections and enhance the women's connection to the community.
Green Bay, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The project will create a landscaped garden for growing medicinal plants traditional to the Oneida Nation. Signage will describe each plants importance, history and use and community elders will harvest the plants for social and medicinal purposes.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Wilmington, DE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Digital Connectivity for Disasters
Description: This project will provide training on preparing for disasters and distribute preparedness kits to participants. The initiative will also outfit a mobile emergency disaster unit with solar-powered satellite internet access and portable charging units.
Wilmington, DE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: During the planning stages for a mural at the 4th Rodney Park, Pastor Lottie Lee-Davis -- a community leader and the project's main partner -- was killed in a car crash. The original goal for the mural was to depict positive imagery for neighborhood children to look up to as they played. After Pastor Lottie's death, organizers used the mural to honor the woman who was a beloved leader and advocate for the 4th Street corridor's residents. Local artists Crae Washington and JaQuanne LeRoy Daniels made Lee-Davis the central figure in the mural, surrounding her with bold colors and words representing career aspirations of the area's children and teens. Since the mural's installation other improvements have come to the park, including new greenery and a bike repair station. Cornerstone West has also worked to implement public art and beautification projects at other nearby parks, including Judy Johnson Park, Cool Spring Park and Tilton Park.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP Delaware State Office
222 Delaware Avenue
Suite 1630
Wilmington, DE 19801
United States