• Douglas-Coffee County Board of REALTORS received $10,500 in Placemaking grants from NAR to transform the Downtown Pocket Park and promote community collaboration.
• The funds will be used for phase two of the park to complete a ramp, wheelchair access, and loading facilities.

• “Forming partnerships with the Board of Realtors, Downtown Development Authority, and other agencies, helps the city create a more welcoming atmosphere in our beautiful downtown,” said Mayor Tony Paulk.

The Douglas-Coffee County Board of REALTORS has received two Placemaking grants from the National Association of Realtors^® (NAR) totaling $10,500 to help transform unused space in the Downtown Pocket Park. The grant was designed by NAR to ensure local Realtor^® Associations are partnering with other neighboring organizations to plan, organize, implement, and maintain lighter, quicker, cheaper placemaking projects in their communities.

The grant funds will be used towards assisting with the second phase of the Downtown Pocket Park. Partnering with the City of Douglason this project, a portable professional stage, complete with a ramp and wheelchair, and loading access will be added to the park.

“Realtors® build communities and work hard to make the American Dream a reality for millions of Americans each year,” said Sherry Joyce, President of the Douglas-Coffee County Board of Realtors. “We hope the funds from this grant will make the Downtown Pocket Park more of an outdoor event space that the community will enjoy.”

NAR offers Placemaking Grants to state and local Realtor® Associations around the country to create new public spaces and destinations in a community, such as turning a parking spot into a people spot (parklet) or a vacant lot into a pocket park or garden. Nationwide, NAR offers Placemaking Grants to various state and local Realtor® Associations to support outdoor public gathering places such as community gardens, dog parks, and playgrounds.

“We appreciate the Board of Realtors applying for this grant to help with the next phase of the pocket park,” said Mayor Tony Paulk.“ Forming partnerships with the Board of Realtors, Downtown Development Authority, and other agencies help the city create a more welcoming atmosphere in our beautiful downtown.”

For more information on the Downtown Pocket Park, visit www.cityofdouglasga.gov. To find out more about the National Association of Realtors^® placemaking program visit, https://realtorparty.realtor/community-outreach/housing-opportunity

*Image courtesy of City of Douglas