Thanksgiving Square in downtown Dallas is a serene park oasis often overlooked by passersby, but local nonprofit Better Block aims to transform it into a vibrant community hub.
“We’re envisioning a new purpose for this space,” explained Krista Nightengale, Executive Director of Better Block. “Thanksgiving Square is incredibly beautiful and magical, yet it’s underutilized and not widely known.”
The park’s current atmosphere feels somewhat disconnected from its surroundings, mirroring the isolated feelings reported by many Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three adults in the U.S. experiences loneliness.
“We’re facing a loneliness epidemic,” Nightengale noted. “Our goal is to foster spontaneous interactions where strangers can become neighbors.”
To tackle this issue, Better Block hosted the Creating Connections Design Contest at Thanksgiving Square, inviting teams nationwide to propose solutions to combat loneliness.
“The process is moving swiftly,” said Zac Feltoon of Zac Feltoon Designs in Brooklyn. “It’s ironic—I’m tackling the very issue I’m trying to solve, having previously worked in an office surrounded by colleagues.”
Lynn Trapp from Team Rock Leaf in Seattle emphasized simplicity and boldness to attract park-goers passing by. Meanwhile, Better Block Architect Designer Draven Pointer discussed innovative ideas like building a slide over the surrounding wall to encourage playfulness and accessibility.
“The concept is simple: when people gather, connections are formed,” Pointer explained.
Participants were invited to test these designs at a community event on Thursday. The designs will be judged and shared online as open-source resources, enabling anyone worldwide to replicate them.
“There’s a realization that we all have each other as a resource,” Feltoon reflected. “Knowing you’re not alone in facing challenges is powerful.”
The initiative aims to reinvigorate Thanksgiving Square as a space that fosters human connections, addressing the pervasive issue of loneliness through innovative community engagement.
