Renton, WA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places

Description: To mark National PARK(ing) day, the City of Renton hosted a celebration downtown. Hoping to stimulate activity in the city's core and generate discussions about the use of public space, project organizers set up five parklets - small parks created in the footprint of street parking spaces. These became mini event spaces for the day, hosting live music, games of chess, interactive art projects, drum lessons, outdoor dining and people watching. Nonprofits and downtown businesses stepped up to host the parklets and event organizers passed out maps showing the locations of each parklet. To give visitors a reason to stroll the streets, the event featured vendor booths and food trucks. Organizers say the pop-up highlighted the need for downtown spaces for older adults to congregate. In 2020, lessons learned from PARK(ing) Day informed efforts to offer safe outdoor gathering spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. And in the years since Renton has continued to celebrate National PARK(ing) Day.

Detroit, MI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Walkability

Description: This project will conduct two walk audits to assess damaged sidewalks and flooding areas, safety signage, lighting and building structures along a walking route.

Heber Springs, AR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: This project will help make needed infrastructure improvements to the largest free meal site in the county, which primarily serves low-income older adults.