How can small towns transform their public spaces into thriving community hubs?

Public spaces like parks, trails, and open lots have so much untapped potential to bring people together. SaveYour.Town co-founders Becky McCray and Deb Brown shared ideas and tips in their Placemaking Your Parks, Trails, and Waters video. (LINK) 

The key is to shift away from top-down planning and instead empower the community to drive low-cost, engaging activities. This allows residents in small towns to test ideas, build ownership, and find what works best for their unique context.

Using the Arts

One powerful approach is through the arts. Rather than just displaying sculptures, towns can host artist talks, cultural festivals, and even open mic performances to activate these spaces. In Webster City, Iowa, population 7,800, a local metal band organized a community concert series where singers of all ages took the stage, fostering connections across generations.

 In Molalla, Oregon, population 10,280, the city collaborated with artists from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde to create an outdoor art display honoring the original inhabitants. These interactive art experiences get the whole community involved and excited.

Collaboration is a powerful key to use in your communities. It’s not about competition; it’s all about collaborating to get things done. 

Leverage public property

Another strategy is leveraging public properties for small businesses. Empty lots can become "market villages" where local entrepreneurs set up affordable micro-businesses, creating a hub of activity. Tionesta, Pennsylvania, population 500, did this by adding storage sheds with false fronts resembling downtown buildings and renting them out for just $50 per month. 

These markets for tiny businesses have two enormous community-building benefits:

• They create opportunities for locals to mix with visitors and for business owners to interact with each other and with customers from all over. 
• They tear down barriers to entry, allowing whole new groups of people to try out entrepreneurship with less risk. 

Use what you have

Recreation is crucial, too. Simply increasing access to existing parks and trails can make a big difference. In Webster City, they removed unnecessary fencing around a skatepark, making it more open and inviting for the whole community to enjoy. In Whitecourt, Alberta, the city built a giant slip-and-slide in a park, using an existing water pump to create a free water feature that brings kids from across the community together to play.

Let the public do it 

The common thread across these examples is the importance of building a sense of stewardship and ownership among community members. When people feel a personal stake in the success and upkeep of public spaces, they are more likely to engage, maintain, and advocate for them. 

So, if you're in a small town looking to breathe new life into your public spaces, start by empowering the community to drive low-cost, engaging activities. Whether it's arts, commerce, or recreation, these idea-friendly strategies can transform your shared spaces into vibrant hubs that bring people together. The possibilities are endless when you unleash your community's creativity and passion!

This video shares more information you can use in your community. Bring people together to watch the video with a Watch Party. The video is available for $9, and you can bring your community enthusiasts together to watch. When you need to stop the video and discuss something you saw, you can.  Order the video today here: https://learnto.saveyour.town/placemaking-parks-trails-water