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Woodbury Thrives (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
To address the lack of gardening space for residents in apartments and facilities for older adults, the community garden expanded from 48 to 96 plots and added 35 raised beds plus 12 ADA-compliant wheelchair-accessible beds. Volunteers, including an Eagle Scout, built the beds, and educational sessions engaged older adults and others in the community. The garden now promotes healthy eating, mental well-being and social ties, with over 120 pounds of produce being donated to a local food shelf. One gardener called the raised beds "a perfect solution" for older adults and people with disabilities. She shared her excitement about growing vegetables again.
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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Morgantown, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The project will add raised garden beds, seating and a community mural next to the Butler County Senior Center. This space will support light activity, relaxation and social time while providing fresh produce in a welcoming outdoor setting.
Paducah, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Organizers with the Paducah McCracken County Senior Center wanted a community garden for low-income residents. The center addressed this need by building a garden with ADA-compliant pathways, ramps and garden beds. The new space provides older adults in the community with fresh produce, opportunities for socializing with friends and neighbors and non-strenuous physical activity.
Stamford, CT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: To make Fairgate Farm more accessible for people of all ages and abilities, project organizers extended an existing ADA-compliant crushed stone walkway leading from the farm's entrance to its market. They also made gathering at the farm more comfortable by installing picnic tables, benches, a bike rack and raised gardening beds. The urban garden and community gathering space on Stamford's West Side hosts programming for community members, from cooking demos to gardening workshops and cooking classes. Fairgate Farm attracts volunteers from across the community, who grow and distribute more than 5,000 pounds of organic fruits and vegetables each year. The produce is then donated to low-income volunteers, their families and local hunger relief charities.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Saint Paul, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: HomeFit Modifications
Description: Small but critical home safety issues left many older adults at risk of falls and struggling with daily tasks. North East Seniors for Better Living launched an in-home repair and safety inspection program by hiring a dedicated staff member to address urgent needs. Visits focused on fixing broken items, identifying fall hazards and talking through other challenges such as transportation, food access or chore help. In one case, a resident regained safe access to his garage after storm damage was cleared. By pairing repairs with personal check-ins, the program helped older adults remain safer at home and created an ongoing way to connect residents with broader support.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Saint Paul, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Resources about housing options, safety and services
Description: To support its efforts advocating for housing justice in St. Paul's East Side, the East Side Freedom Library hired a program director, expanded its volunteer base and recruited and trained interns. The organization also hosted events focused on tenants' rights -- as well as a local housing summit -- and conducted a survey of older adults' housing needs. Project organizers say these actions helped increase community support for the Library's advocacy and allowed it to expand its policy work.
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