Timucuan Parks Foundation, in partnership with JaxParks, was selected as a 2026 AARP Community Challenge Flagship Grant recipient! Announced nationally on June 24, this honor places us among 750 grantees chosen from 5,100 applications spanning all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
This grant will support our Healthy Living for Seniors Nature Therapy Initiative and bring meaningful improvements to Castaway Island Preserve. Three new benches will create more places to rest and reflect, while a new entry kiosk will make visits even more welcoming and informative for the approximately 15,000 people who explore the preserve each year. The project is expected to be completed by mid-December.
The Healthy Living for Seniors Nature Therapy Initiative will also expand structured programs for older adults, including senior-focused yoga and other healthy living activities. Together, these experiences will foster social connection, support cognitive health, and help create a lasting healthy park model with our partners for the long-term wellness of the community.
We are honored to receive this support and excited about the positive impact this project will have for seniors, visitors, and the broader community.
The AARP Community Challenge is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports projects that make communities more livable for people of all ages through tangible improvements that can inspire long-term change.