CREJ

March 2019 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \ 41 future fiancé whilst hoping she doesn’t take the last scone; the mom connecting with another parent over an afternoon latte, eventually forging a friendship that helps get them through the challenging task of raising children. l Parks and open space. One of the oldest but still very effec- tive means for creating community is through community parks and open spaces. People have been using public open space to gather for as long as they’ve been in existence. The newest master-planned community just breaking ground in Duvall, Washington, Walden at Big Rock and its Quarry House is activating these spaces, taking them from passive parks to interactive play areas that truly makes these plac- es come to life. From dog parks to splash pads to natural playgrounds; it’s the open spaces that engage and encourage people to come together and form relation- ships. But like any built environment, the emphasis isn’t on the space itself it’s on the people who inhabit the space. The dog park is more than a place to let your dog roam free, the splash pad is more than a fun af- ternoon activity and even the small pocket park is more than a place to get some ex- ercise before the afternoon nap; it’s about social interaction with members of your community. It doesn’t matter if we as designers and developers are looking at dense urban environments or suburban master plans, residential or commercial spaces, apart- ments or single-family homes. The places we design and build have the opportunity to serve as a beacon in the community – where people can unplug from the chaos of everyday living, enjoy spontaneous in- teraction and experience a deeper connect- edness. \\ dpoppleton@dtjdesign.com ELEMENTS Community Biscotti’s Café at The Hub at Daybreak East Walden at Big Rock