Bringing Nature-Based Placemaking to Pottstown

A NBPM Focus Group at the Pottstown Regional Community Foundation

The Pottstown Area Regional Recreation Committee has partnered with the Pennsylvania Downtown Center to explore nature-based placemaking (NBPM) in the Pottstown area. The NBPM approach seeks to increase local and regional economic development by focusing on outdoor assets, including parks, trails and other recreation areas. The partnership is a part of a broad effort to help residents and visitors not only discover outdoor assets, but to visit downtown retail areas during their visit. This collaboration is made possible through a grant from the Pottstown Regional Community Foundation (formerly the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation).

The NBPM project has been underway since February and PDC and PARRC have convened six focus groups to gather input from Pottstown area residents, business owners, municipal leaders, and nonprofit organizations. These conversations have explored ideas about how to highlight natural assets, support walkability, and reflect the unique history of the Pottstown area. An additional focus group will be held this summer that will be geared toward Pottstown downtown business owners.

Once the focus groups are completed, the next steps include a community survey and development of a strategic implementation plan based on the input from the community that will build a stronger sense of place for the Pottstown area.