Spaces to Places

The idea behind parklets is to create a spot that allows people to stop, sit, and rest while purposing former car-parking spaces for a community gathering place.

The Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS® used NAR’s Placemaking Grant to create two areas for a dog park in The City of Georgetown, SC.

Aerial view of Meadowbrook Park, Prairie Village, Kansas

85 percent of U.S. residents identify proximity to parks, playgrounds, open space, or recreation centers as an important factor in deciding where to live.

Parklet in Springfield, IL funded with NAR’s Placemaking Grant

After months of staying home, communities are witnessing an unprecedented demand from residents for places to walk, hike, relax and simply get out of the house.

A pedestrian alley in Fitchburg, MA with boxes for artwork to go in, tables, chairs and very bright pink stripes on the walkway.

The North Central MA Association of REALTORS® helped to transform a dark alley in Fitchburg, MA into a colorful community gathering place with dramatic artwork.

A vacant island turned into a beautiful gathering place for the entire community in Henderson, KY

The Space Coast Association of REALTORS® used NAR's Placemaking Grant to build the Pieloch Dog Park in Melbourne, FL.

Spaces to Places Blog: Our Story Walk Trail: A Place to Explore for Years to Come

The Coeur d’Alene Association of REALTORS® used NAR’s Placemaking Grant to build the Rathdrum Montain storybook trail.

View of the DC Wharf showing buildings and a marina on the Anacostia River

The Wharf, a $2.5 billon, 24-acre development along one mile of the Potomac River’s Washington Channel, is the largest development in Washington, D.C.

Ribbon cutting ceremony for the dog park at the East Bay Park in the City of Georgetown, SC

The Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS® used NAR’s Placemaking Grant to landscape two areas of a dog park inside the East Bay Park in Georgetown, SC.

Romare Bearden Park in Charlotte, NC featuring a whimsical splashpad and interactive art forms

Amenities not only provide user comfort and functionality but can also add fun, identity, style and character to a new gathering space in your community.

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Community Outreach Programs

Housing Opportunity Grant
Housing Opportunity Grants support state and local REALTOR® Associations’ affordable housing activities. The goal of the program is to position REALTORS® as leaders in improving their communities by creating affordable housing
opportunities.

Smart Growth Grant
Smart growth is an approach to development that encourages a mix of building types and uses, diverse housing and transportation options, development within existing neighborhoods, and community engagement. The Smart Growth Program offers state and local REALTOR® Associations to way to engage with government officials, community partners and the general public in planning and designing community’s future.

Diversity
Planned diversity initiatives makes good business sense. REALTOR® Associations with well-planned diversity programs create a stronger sense of community, particularly in neighborhoods with high concentrations of foreign-born and minority residents who are moving up the socioeconomic ladder and are buying homes.

NAR Placemaking Resources

Placemaking Guide: A Guide to Transform a Public Space into a Community Place
REALTORS® and state and local association staff can learn the details of Placemaking, the kinds of projects placemaking entails, how to organize them, and where to go for assistance and resources.

Placemaking Webinar Series
Our Placemaking Webinar Series will provide more in depth information on the various types of Placemaking and how REALTORS® were involved in Placemaking activities in their communities.

Placemaking Grant
The Placemaking Grant funds the creation of new public spaces, like pocket parks, trails & gardens, in a community. The grant focuses on “lighter, cheaper, quicker” placemaking projects, which can be built under a year and cost less than $200,000.