New, Free Gardening Publication from AARP Livable Communities!

A community garden can help a new neighborhood take root, bolster an existing one and in both cases serve as an important, shared asset.

Produced in collaboration with 8 80 Cities, Creating Community Gardens for People of All Ages can help elected officials, government staff, nonprofit organizations and neighbors in all sorts of places build and sustain community gardens as inclusive, intergenerational outdoor spaces.

This publication explains the value of community gardens, provides guidance about starting and sustaining such gardens, and shares examples and suggestions for related public policies and programs.

You can view, download or pre-order a print copy of the FREE Creating Community Gardens for People of All Ages at AARP.org/CommunityGardens.

In addition, you can apply for grant funding through the 2023 AARP Community Challenge grant program to help start, expand or improve a community garden.

• In recent years, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority in Cleveland received a grant to create the Riverview Tower Community Garden. After gathering input from the residents of Riverview Tower, an apartment building for low-income older adults, the housing authority created a garden where residents can grow their own vegetables. Built on the site of a decaying volleyball court, the garden has seating, is accessible for people with mobility differences and includes sensory areas where visitors can smell, touch and taste some of what’s grown.

• Age-Friendly Delaware County was awarded a grant in 2021 to create St Michael's Community Garden in the city of Delaware. Community partners and volunteers worked with residents of an apartment complex for older adults and people with physical disabilities to create a garden and accessible space for outdoor activities.

New Capacity-Building microgrants will be paired with guidance and resources from 8 80 Cities for additional support. Applications are currently being accepted through Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Learn more at AARP.org/CommunityChallenge