Looking+Forward


 * UM ** is a different community than it used to be. We are larger, older, and more racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse. If we want to maintain and develop our sense of community, we need to strengthen existing institutions and develop new ones that can function as third places. But perhaps what we need are not third places that are physical spaces – but third place organizations– groups and institutions that bring people together. I’d like to focus on three examples.

First: the schools. As I worked on this project, I came to see that the UM schools are effective at reaching out to both students and their parents. For many people, the schools are how they get involved in the township – how they meet their neighbors as well as people on the other side of 202. Schools bring together a diverse group of families in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, and social class, but all with a common interest: their children. Further, many school activities are open to the entire community – plays, concerts, and sports events. UMASD encourages other groups to use its facilities when school is not in session. Several district schools have joined the National Network of Partnership Schools, an organization based in Baltimore that encourages schools to reach out to the community.

Second: The township should also encourage new institutions, such as the Upper Merion Farmers Market. According to their website, this group got its start from a conversation. One of the organizers told me that two people met at a party, and were sharing ideas about what could make the township better. Seeing so many faces there last Saturday was very encouraging; one elderly customer observed that it was the best community gathering she'd been to in 50 years. The Farmers Market h as potential to function as a 3rd place; it can be a weekly gathering place of the community.

Finally, i n our technological age, we cannot forget the power and potential of the online world. Websites are an easy way for people in a large township such as ours to be “in the loop.” Increasingly, it is how everyone finds out about upcoming events. The Internet is how news is passed and information is shared. It is one of the ways community is created today. Mr. Morrison’s website is a great example of this. Mr. Morrison is a township native who has written two books on the history of King of Prussia, and who has created a website that connects users a range of community resources. In addition to sharing information, the internet can also be used to gather information – for example, the planners of the Farmer’s Market used an on-line poll to assess interest in the idea before moving forward.