7 key features for any community space

Community spaces are areas where people can come together and socialise in a safe space. These open public places service a wide variety of purposes, but a few of the more common examples that are found up and down the country include parks, playgrounds, gardens, wildlife areas, libraries and community centres. These can be used to build and sustain social networks and they provide an important service to the community, but in order for these public spaces to be of value to society, they will need to have a number of key features. Read on to find out more.

Information

Every community space will need to inform visitors of certain rules and regulations for the area. A library, for example, will need to educate people on where to go in the building as well as the rules for the area. A park, meanwhile, will need to inform people of footpaths, toilets, etc. In many cases, there will be people on site that can relay all of this information, but proper signage is also important and a key feature of any community space.

Accessibility

As somewhere that is designed to create a sense of community and foster social interaction, it is crucial that every public space is easily accessible and open to all. In addition to being friendly and welcoming, this also means that it should be wheelchair accessible and also easily reached on foot, by car and by public transportation.

Toilets

Anywhere that members of the public visit will need to have easy access to clean and safe men’s and women’s toilets. Be sure to hire a proper cleaning crew who can look after these spaces, as you don’t want the public bathrooms to become run down.

Water Points

Such public spaces should also have water points, especially if they are outside (parks, public gardens, etc.). This ensures that visitors are able to stay hydrated and cool during their visit, which is ideal when the weather is nice and sunny during the summer months, when people are more likely to be outside.

Security Features

Safety is paramount when it comes to community spaces and anywhere that large groups of people come together. Fortunately, there are many excellent security products that are easily available, including burglar alarms from trusted and certified companies like eurolinksecurity.co.uk. Be sure to have the proper CCTV equipment, so that in the event of an accident, you can check the situation and monitor the park.

Seating

It is also important that visitors have somewhere to rest when they visit the community space. People often like to relax and spend long periods of time at these places, so benches and other forms of seating is key, particularly in public parks.

Promotes Community Involvement

Finally, every community space will serve a particular purpose to society and promote community involvement. This means that it is somewhere that people from the same community can come together for human contact and social activities in a safe, welcoming and friendly environment.

Public spaces are vital for bringing people together to create a sense of community, and for parents and kids alike to forge bonds, you need to have a space for them to do this in. Call a neighbourhood meeting and discuss your options. Do you already have a community space that is in need of some care and attention, or is it time you create one? Essentially, the space should be accessible, welcoming, safe, well maintained and comfortable while serving a particular purpose which reflects the local culture or history of the area.