March 10, 2010
March marks the official start of Omaha by Design’s 2010 Place Game workshop season.
The Place Game, a free service of Omaha by Design, is an organized way of brainstorming improvements to any neighborhood by listening to the people who use its public spaces. It was created by the Project for Public Spaces (PPS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people create and sustain public spaces that build stronger communities. Founded in 1975, PPS embraces the insights of William (Holly) White, a pioneer in understanding the way people use public spaces.
During a Place Game workshop, trained facilitators lead small groups through a series of selected sites for analysis, asking them to take note of what they see, hear and feel. The groups then convene for a brainstorming session to identify opportunities for improving these areas as well as potential partners who could help with implementation.
In addition to supplying the materials and trained facilitators, ObD provides the host organization with assistance in promoting the workshop and summarizes the input in a report. It’s the host organization’s responsibility to:
- Identify the locations for analysis;
- Provide a meeting space; and
- Secure participants (successful Place Games require a minimum of 15 people).
In 2010, all groups that complete a Place Game workshop and apply for grant funding will receive a free tree as well as assistance with site selection and planting.
Omaha by Design conducts workshops from March through October. For more information, call 402.554.4011 or email info@omahabydesign.org.