Athens Farmers Market more age-friendly thanks to new AARP grant

Athens Farmers Market 2023 — The Athens Farmers Market now provides comfortable seating and other accessibility features after an AARP grant. (Limestone County EDA)

The Athens Farmers Market will have some new features that should make seniors and people with disabilities more comfortable while browsing the goods at the popular market.

An AARP grant to Athens Main Street has made possible the addition of comfortable seating, tables and more features that are more age-friendly. Here’s the scoop:

AARP grant

363415097 768952605232388 541570042912800633 n — New features at the Athens Farmers Market will be available this fall. (Athens Main Street)

Athens Main Street is one of 310 grantees selected to receive the 2023 AARP Community Challenge grant from AARP Livable Communities and AARP Alabama.

Through this grant, Athens Main Street will provide age-friendly gathering space furnishings including slide-in picnic tables, accessible picnic tables, and high-seat comfy chairs at the Athens Farmers Market at Doug Gates Park.

“We are incredibly proud that AARP selected us for this investment to make Athens and Limestone County more livable for residents of all ages. AARP believes that great communities take a long time to build and sustain. But they also believe that quick actions can be the spark for long-term progress.”
Tere Richardson, Athens Main Street director

The grant funds quick-action projects. All projects are expected to be complete by November 30. The new furnishings for the market pavilion will provide a comfortable, safe, and vibrant seating space for all ages at the Market.

The Athens Farmers Market in the fall

359525284 6584735544879738 8520021988395373104 n — The fall market begins Sept. 30. (Athens Main Street)

Fall is a great time for the Athens Farmers Market, and the new features will make this fall’s market even more enjoyable. The Athens Farmers Market committee is planning to install and showcase the furnishings during the upcoming fall market.

“We cannot wait to see the transformation of our gathering space with help from this grant.”
Kat Greene, Athens Farmers Market manager

The fall market, sponsored by First Metro Bank, is scheduled for September 30, from 8AM to 12PM. Greene encourages everyone to make plans to shop at the market, listen to great music, and celebrate the new furnishings.

Get in the know, Huntsville! Follow Hville Blast on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.