Reprinted from Better Houses and 'Hoods (formerly Better Houses & Gardens), March 30, 2017

We all know the importance of a lively neighborhood as a way to brighten our lives. There's nothing more pointless than concentrating every ounce of energy on your own home and yard while ignoring what goes on around you. The quality of your life depends on a strong sense of community. Plus, what fun is it to cook the perfect meal, tend the perfect garden, decorate the perfect living room, raise the perfect children or knit the perfect sweater without some neighborly companionship?

This thinking has fueled the phenomenal growth of the Placemaking movement over the past five years. Virtually every household in every corner of the country is involved in these efforts in some way. Yet, we often hear readers ask: What are the most important things I can do to make my neighborhood come alive? We turned to three innovative grassroots placemakers for answers.

1) Reach out to your neighbors

It only takes one person to get things rolling. Organize a cookout or block party and invite everyone to come out and meet the neighbors. Gladys Schultz-Mazerowski of Winnipeg, Manitoba, did that a few years ago inviting local ladies over for tea and sandwiches with the crusts carefully removed (see page 129 for recipe). That sparked an avalanche of community spirit, and families on her block now meet for a potluck every Friday night (more recipes page 131). They tore down all the backyard fences to create a community garden and playground. A neighborhood co-op now shares tools, lawnmowers, autos, camping gear, babysitters, a sauna, ping pong tables and an indoor swimming pool (see page 79 for a step-by-step guide to constructing a neighborhood sauna).

2) Go for a stroll

Nothing brings a community alive more than people out walking on the street. It prevents crime and boosts sociability. Doreen Anawandananana of Shining Golden Valley Forest Hills, Idaho--an outer suburb of Boise--loved strolling after the dinner but was often the only person on the street for miles around. She was picked up for questioning nine times by local police who had never seen a pedestrian before. Frustrated and considering a move to Europe, where she knew people still walked, she made one last ditch effort to stay in Idaho. She asked a neighbor to join her on a walk. Soon there were 4, 6, 8, 24, 56 people out walking each evening. They formed a pedestrian committee and soon got sidewalks built all over town. Now, a number of the less-busy streets in town have been replaced with grass, flowers and stone paths, creating a network of community promenades (see page 196 for plans of a do-it-yourself pedestrian zone).

3) Create a neighborhood hang-out.

A neighborhood isn't really a neighborhood without a place for people to gather. In Paris, it's sidewalk cafés. In Manhattan, it's Central Park. In Bug Tussle, Arkansas, it's Bubba's Transmission and Espresso Service. Roshanna and Bubba Jones long wished there was some fun place to go in their neighborhood. Then one day Bubba noticed that dog owners often stopped to talk on the sidewalk in front of his transmission shop. So he built a bench for them to rest their legs, and discovered that people lingered even longer for conversations. He then convinced his cousin Junior there was money to be made in bringing by his hot dog cart. Thing got even livelier (see page 61 for Junior's tips on making the perfect chili dog every time). A bluegrass band would set up on the vacant lot next door, playing for tips. Neighborhood girls began jumping rope there, and boys tossed footballs. Then Roshanna bought an espresso machine at a garage sale, and finding some old kitchen tables at the Goodwill, set up a coffee café. From then on, this throbbing corner has been the pulsing heart of Bug Tussle. On the weekends, people come from as far as Polecat Junction, West Smathers Landing and even Clackawakatrakville. (See page 204 for travel information on a weekend getaway to Bug Tussle.)