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AARP AARP States South Dakota Livable Communities

AARP Awards Community Grants to Five SD Organizations

Communities across South Dakota are working each and every day to become more livable for residents of all ages.

In support of that work, AARP is excited to announce the largest number of grantees and funds to-date through the Community Challenge grant program. These “quick action” grants are being distributed to 184 organizations across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Community Challenge funds innovative projects that inspire change in areas such as transportation, public spaces, housing, smart cities, civic engagement, coronavirus response and more.

AARP SD is incredibly proud to have five grantees right here in our state. Our goal is to support their efforts to create great places for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities and the coronavirus pandemic has only underscored the importance of this work.

Here in SD, these exciting and diverse projects were funded:

  • The Custer Area Economic Development Committee – Recreation / Wellness Team will install raised garden beds in the community / school gardens to improve accessibility of fresh produce for citizens of every age.
  • The Day County Conservation District Recycling Team will purchase a community recycling trailer to help make the county greener for today and for future generations.
  • The City of Sioux Falls Health Department will create a protected bike lane along an on-street bike route to improve safety and comfort for cyclists and drivers, alike.  
  • The Sisseton Arts Council will beautify a Midway Green Space at the intersection of Veterans Avenue and SD Highway 10 with local art, native grasses and benches for walkers.
  • The City of Yankton Department of Parks and Recreation will install a Born to Learn Trail Program in Westside Park, including interactive, educational content about the history and geology of Yankton County.

The Community Challenge is part of AARP’s nationwide work on livable communities, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and counties across the country to become great places for all residents. We believe that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life.

To learn more about the work being funded by the AARP Community Challenge both here in South Dakota as well as across the nation, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of all of the Community Challenge projects and AARP SD’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.