For most Americans, the majority of their life is spent in two places: at work, and at home. Including both full time and part time employees, the average employed adult spends just shy of 8 hours a day at work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Combine that with a recommended 7 hours of sleep a night at home, plus chores and other activities at home, the average working adult is still left with a significant chunk of time in the day. But where to spend it?
This is what sociologists call the “third place;” the critical spaces outside of home and work where people gather to socialize and connect with their community. Coffee shops. Bars and restaurants. Churches. Libraries. Parks. Gyms. Farmers markets. Bookstores. Civic organizations. Clubs. These places provide irreplaceable opportunities for people to talk, make friends, discuss issues, and strengthen the fabric of their community. For a society like ours where the open and free-flowing exchange of ideas is paramount, and where governance and progress occur from the bottom up rather than the top down, third places aren’t just nice to have; they help underpin our community strength and cohesion.
Which is why, on a national level, the decline of third places is concerning. Not only is the physical number of these places declining, according to the National Institute of Health, so too is the time people are spending in them. A study in the Journal of the American Planning Association found that the time people spend outside of their homes is dropping, a trend only exacerbated by the pandemic. Less time spent outside the home, and fewer places to spend it, do not make communities stronger and more prosperous; it only weakens them.
Which is why, in Sanford and Lee County, we are so fortunate that our number of “third places” is exploding. This past Fall saw the opening of the Lee County Athletic Park, offering new outdoor space for children and families to enjoy. We recently had the first farmers market in our new Pilgrim’s Sanford Agricultural Marketplace, and our residents showed up in droves for the chance to connect with new and old friends alike (not to mention the quality produce and products on display). Next month, the new main Lee County Library will open its doors, providing a safe and enriching gathering spot for all ages and interests. Just this month, the Riverbirch shopping center began its revitalization project, transforming it once again into a place people want to be. And all of this is to say nothing of the growing number of bookstores, breweries, coffee shops, and more opening in every corner of the county.
But these community hubs won’t thrive without your support. At the end of the day, they are only as impactful as the people who choose to use them. Visiting these third places does more than just give you an enjoyable time out; it helps signal that there is demand in our community for more places to congregate. That makes it easier for our local leaders to make the case for investment in gathering places like parks and libraries, and helps attract new businesses who see the demand for places to eat, shop, relax, unwind, and connect. If we want more of the third places that make our community a more vibrant place to live, we need to continue to support them, both with our patronage and with our presence. So, the next time you find yourself with time to kill, take a break from the routine at home and go find somewhere new in our community to be your new third place.