Building Belonging: CRCOG’s New Third Places Report

The Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) has released Third Places: Social Infrastructure in the Capitol Region, a report examining the social and economic benefits of “Third Places” — spaces outside the home and workplace where people gather and connect, such as cafés, parks, libraries, and barbershops.

These spaces form a vital part of a community’s social infrastructure, the physical environments that foster interaction, civic engagement, and community well-being. The report highlights their importance to the region’s social and economic health and encourages dialogue on strategies to strengthen and support them.

CRCOG invites stakeholders and community leaders to engage with the findings and explore opportunities to enhance Third Places across the region.