By: Christina Quinones

Fort Collins, Colo.- There is a monumental question of whether a city can truly be happy. People do experience joy, but there has never been a city that can truly be called happy. It raises the question of whether one even exists. One thing is certain, though: a city is made up of many different parts, and the seemingly little things can have a huge impact on how our society functions and behaves.

The simple presence of public spaces have been proven to have a positive impact on the surrounding community. The article “Project for Public Spaces” writes that while public spaces themselves on the outside seem mediocre with no real impact but under the surface these are locations “where community comes alive, where bonds among neighbors are strengthened and where a sense of belonging is fostered.”

Attributes of good public spaces. Photo by: Project for Public Spaces

Moving from a big city, San Diego, to Fort Collins I was clearly able to see the differences public spaces have on society. Maybe I just didn’t go out enough in my hometown, but in Old Town there are always people using the public space even if it’s just to sit. These areas foster a sense of neighborhood belonging, which can result in a trustworthy, safe, and welcoming community.

According to the “Fort Collins History Connection,” in the 1880’s a business man named Havemeyer, also known as the “sugar king” built a factory that promoted social growth within Loveland but when asked to do the same in Fort Collins, he refused. Going forward a group of individuals, who by no means were wealthy, built “churches and schools, our Y. M. C. A. building and procured our street railway and park system,” stated by Carl Anderson in the Fort Collins History Connection article. While as of now these things seem insignificant but at the time they were revolutionary and a massive turning point that promoted social sustainability.

Every city has its own set of necessities and support, but when compared to others, including those that are comparable to Fort Collins in size and population density, like Hood River, Oregon, and St. George, Utah, they all have one thing in common: a strong sense of community. Communities must have access to basic amenities that inspire and motivate residents to leave the house and enjoy the outdoors, such as a nearby park or bike lanes. The seemingly little details are what give a city its joy.