Find the perfect ‘Spot on the Square’ in LaFayette

BY KADIE VICK

THE LAFAYETTE SUN

LaFayette — The Spot on the Square Pocket Park will provide a space for local groups to host events and foster community.

“It’s right in the pocket of downtown,” said LaFayette Main Street Director DeAnna Hand. “We want community members to be able to enjoy the scenery and hold events downtown. Some pocket parks do include more grassy areas or play equipment, but this one is more of a downtown, open-air pocket park.”

The Chambers County Extension is already planning to use the Pocket Park to host 4-H activities and other community events.

“We’re already working alongside the Chambers County Extension Service on some of their 4-H activities, for them to do different camps, seminars and sessions there in the Pocket Park,” Hand said.

Chambers County Extension Coordinator Rachel Snoddy said that she sees the Pocket Park as a great location for events and activities.

“It is a relaxed and fun place, and especially with the location being downtown, people can grab a snack or a drink or something from some of the places nearby,” she said. “They can walk down the street to grab some pizza or coffee or whatever before the meetings. We just think it’ll be a lot more of a fun and relaxed place to do some of our activities.”

Snoddy said that she is already working on planning a get-to-know 4-H event for local families in August.

“We plan to do an after school event so people can learn about what we have going on, projects that people can sign up for and offer a couple of fun activities so the kids can get a taste of what we do in 4-H,” she said.

Hand said that she sees the Pocket Park as more than just a community event space; it is also an investment in LaFayette history and a preservation of the town for future generations.

I believe this square is just one of the most iconic and beautiful squares in the state and the courthouse is so beautiful,” she said. “We want our youth and our young people to really embrace that and value it, and I think doing events in a downtown area can really make them have more of that pride in the preservation of the historical culture that we have here in LaFayette.”

Hand said that she believes that ultimately the Pocket Park will bring families and the community together in a shared outdoor space.

“Anytime that you’re bringing people outdoors and have them gather and form those relationships and those bonds, I think that that helps with quality of life,” she said. “Having places to gather and bring the community together develops stronger bonds, and families can come out, young and old, and enjoy downtown and have a place to sit.”