When the Aberdeen Area Association of REALTORS® applied for NAR’s Placemaking Grant, their vision was simple: Create a vibrant, active, and inclusive space where children, families, and neighbors could gather year-round. Today, they share how that vision came to life through the installation of a new Gaga Ball Pit, a fast-paced dodgeball-like game, at the Brown County Fairgrounds in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
The Aberdeen Area Association of REALTORS® believes that REALTORS® play an essential role in building stronger, more connected communities. When looking around at their rapidly growing northeast side neighborhoods—particularly the new development located next to the fairgrounds—the Aberdeen Area Association of REALTORS® recognized an opportunity: Despite the influx of new homes and young families, this part of town had very few parks or accessible play spaces. The fairgrounds, already home to a community-donated playground, felt like the perfect location to expand recreational options.
With support from NAR’s Placemaking Grant, the Aberdeen Area Association of REALTORS® was able to fund and donate a full Gaga Ball Pit complete with rubber flooring, equipment, and even custom signage. Thanks to a partnership, Brown County provided benches and assisted with the installation, and the Brown County Fair Board agreed to maintain the space in the long term. These organizations joined together to create an activity zone that encourages movement, social connection, and fun for kids of all ages.
The transformation was meaningful not just for the result but for how it brought people together during the process. REALTOR® members gathered alongside county staff, who helped assemble the pit and prepare the grounds. Their involvement reinforced that when REALTORS® step forward, communities grow stronger. The ribbon-cutting event was a celebration of partnership, collaboration, and community pride.
Accessibility was a guiding factor throughout the project. The location is reachable by foot, bike, and vehicle, and it sits just across from a citywide walking and biking path that connects multiple neighborhoods. Whether families are camping at the fairgrounds, visiting the playground, or simply looking for something active to do on a sunny afternoon, the Gaga Pit is free, open, and available all year long.
Of course, no project is without its challenges. Coordinating logistics between construction timelines, county schedules, and fairground operations required flexibility and teamwork. But each challenge ultimately strengthened relationships with local leaders and highlighted the association’s ability to be a reliable partner in community development. Those relationships have already opened the door to future conversations about additional improvements in the 'Kids Zone' area.
The long-term benefits of this project extend well beyond recreation. By investing in the fairgrounds—one of Aberdeen’s most highly used public spaces—the association is supporting environmental sustainability by enhancing an existing community asset rather than developing new land. Additionally, the association is also encouraging ongoing investment in the surrounding area by making it an even more desirable place for families to live, gather, and play.
The Aberdeen Area Association of REALTORS® is grateful to NAR for supporting this vision through the Placemaking Grant program. This project reflects the association’s commitment to being engaged, proactive stewards of their community. More importantly, it reflects the spirit of Aberdeen, where collaboration, creativity, and a shared love for their community make great things possible.