Who uses those grills in the park?

You know those old-style outdoor grills in the public parks? You know who uses them these days? Families of color, especially Latinos. 

My friend Rob Hatch pointed this out. As we talked it over, he said, “You see people out there having the time of their lives.” 

I can picture it, kind of like picnics in parks from my childhood. Kids running around, multiple generations gathered around picnic tables, plenty of food. 

Here’s my family doing that exact thing in 1966, before I was even born. (The baby is my older sister. No one tell her I shared this, OK?)  

It’s easier to build community when you’re out and present in the community. Harder to do when you’re in your backyard, closed off from the wider community. 

All it really takes is showing up in shared spaces and making the most of them.

This is how community building actually works, not through committees and planning sessions, but through simply being there, where other people can join in.

People often ask me, “How do we connect with Latino families in our community?” Well, here they are! They’re already showing up in public spaces, already building community the way that feels natural.

Maybe in your town it’s different people. Or maybe no one is using those grills right now. This is one specific thing you can start that will build a stronger community. Invite the family, and go for a picnic. 

The answer to building community ties doesn’t have to be creating new programs or sending special invitations. It can be to simply go where the community is or could be. Show up in the same public spaces people are already using or you wish people would use. Be present where community can happen instead of trying to create it from scratch in isolation.

Go grill in the park

What’s your “grill in the park” moment going to be? Will you go grill in the park? Hang out downtown and read a book? Or add another chair to your front porch and spend some time out there?

Community is waiting for you to show up.