The plaza in front of Driggs City Hall has always been a place where people gather for concerts, plays, farmers’ markets, and other family activities. When there weren’t activities, the attractive space in the heart of downtown was mostly idle.

“We wanted to get people to use the plaza outside of special events,” Driggs Mayor August Christensen said.

The city essentially was looking for a way to brings its community together through an outdoor public space. That vision was the perfect match for The Community Project, a grant offered by the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health with the same goal. Driggs received the grant in 2022 and has been implementing ever since.

The grant included funding for the physical project as well as technical assistance to assist the city in engaging the community to find out what people wanted to see at the plaza. Strategic engagement efforts, including surveys and in-person interactions, provided the answers.

Community engagement efforts are important because they can foster a sense of belonging. When people feel heard and are included, it can positively impact community pride. People who don’t feel a sense of belonging may experience mental health issues, which also impact physical health. The Community Project helps cities create environments where collaboration is encouraged.

The top three themes that emerged from the community engagement efforts were seating, shade and interactive art features. Doug Self, the community development director for the city, said the goal was to incorporate the community’s wishes into the plaza.

“These were all things that would draw people into the space,” he said.

The city addressed the shade issue in two ways – with moveable umbrellas and by planting trees that will eventually grow taller and provide relief from the hot summer sun. Three sets of bright-colored Adirondack chairs and tables give people a place to sit, and all are moveable.

“The outdoor furniture has been moved around all the time,” Mayor Christensen said. “We’ve moved the table inside the gallery area in the winter so people can use them inside.”

One of the more noticeable features was a dome that provides covered seating. Sometimes called the Drigloo, it was placed on the plaza last winter.

“We saw other communities use them during the pandemic,” Self said. “They were a huge hit. People were in there all day, and we even lit it up in the evening so people could still meet.”

The dome will find a new home as its spot on the plaza was taken by Gather, a public art installation made by a local artist from cork and steel. The three-piece structure’s appearance will change over time because of changing seasons and how it interacts with light.

“We hoping to have a plaque to tell the story of the art so the people who visit have a greater appreciation of it,” Christensen said.

Christensen said one of the more hidden plaza features is what she calls a pretend kitchen. It’s tucked in the trees adjacent to the plaza. It’s been accessorized with wooden utensils.

“Young kids use it year round,” she said. “We have an outdoor school here and it’s now a part of their routine. Even our youngest citizens are enjoying the grant.”

So has The Community Project helped the city’s goal of plaza utilization?

“We’ve really seen more people using the plaza with these additions,” she said. “It’s been a win-win. As a whole, so many different aspects of the grant really made a big difference in little ways.”