Duluth, MN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: Older adults in Duluth faced barriers to healthy food and social connection, especially in neighborhoods with few events and limited transit. To address this, the organization expanded its farmers markets by adding social zones with tables, games and art supplies, and completed two murals in areas lacking public art. Staff also took anti-age discrimination training and recruited older volunteers to lead activities. The project deepened engagement, improved food access and brightened community spaces. One visitor said, "The murals completely change the feeling of the park... really livens it up and matches the energy of the markets better."

Duluth, MN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places

Description: This project engaged teams of participants to design solutions that will make the city more age-friendly, with a focus on areas such as housing, transportation and more.