Improving Outdoor Space in Jackson, Gulfport

To help Mississippians age in place, AARP awarded grants of $15,000 each to Gulfport and Jackson to improve outdoor areas for people of all ages.

The 2018 Community Challenge grants are part of the association’s Livable Communities initiative to improve transportation, pedestrian safety and citizen involvement.

Jackson used the grant to make the area along Congress Street in front of City Hall more pedestrian friendly, with outdoor furniture, landscape design, bike infrastructure and events throughout the year.

With its grant, Gulfport created an outdoor interactive classroom with nature trails, educational play structures and a small amphitheater in a new park located in a low-income area that was struck by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

For more information, visit aarp.org/ms.