Neighborhood Centers as “Third Places”

NEIGHBORHOOD THIRD PLACES. Ray Oldenburg, see sidebar, effectively describes gathering spots that serve as “third places”; places where people relax and commune; the “in-between” places, not work, not home. His idea extends from small town cafés and diners to big city “Cheers” bars.

Entry is freely accessible to customers, visitors and a regular clientele; no exclusivity allowed. “Third places” are the idiosyncratic interstitial places that are the essence of neighborhood centers.