COMMUNITY
By Priscilla Willis
The Third Place
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You may have heard the term “third place,” but what does it mean?
Third place is a term coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg describing a place you frequent outside your first place (home) and your second place (school or work), where you can just be yourself. It’s where you’re not defined by your role as a parent, boss, student or employee. The third place is that low-pressure spot where you simply exist.
In a world focused on schedules and screens, third places offer unscripted moments — spaces where life feels more human, more connected and, often, more interesting.
A third place is simply the “living room” of your community. It could be a favorite eatery, a sunny park bench or that coffee shop where the barista remembers your order. These spaces are the social glue that binds us.
What Makes a Space a “Third Place”?
The Great Equalizer: Everyone is on the same level, from CEOs to students.
Conversation is King: It’s a place for witty banter, thought-provoking conversations or just catching up.
No “Guest List” Required: It’s easy to get into and is free or low-cost.
Low-Key Vibe: There’s no “to-do” list; the primary goal is to enjoy the company of others.
In short, a third place is public and accessible to all — spaces to be social, connect and build community, where you’re free to come and go with no obligations or commitments. It’s a “home away from home” that makes a neighborhood feel like a community.
What third places are you enjoying? We are fortunate to live in an area that prioritizes third places: fabulous green spaces and parks, innovative city libraries, beloved independent bookstores, aesthetically pleasing coffee shops and vibrant community centers.
Now, let’s take a closer look at how third places are thriving across our area.
FAYETTEVILLE
As the city’s oldest park, Wilson Park is a quintessential third place. Between the whimsical castle sculpture, swimming pool and musical playground, it’s a place where families and neighbors have been bumping into each other for generations.
In the heart of downtown, the three-acre Upper Ramble serves as an “urban oasis” and gathering spot, featuring architectural shade structures, bench swings, event programming, interactive art installations and playable elements designed for all ages.
In June 2024, Yvonne Richardson Community Center began a 3,853-square-foot expansion, adding a teaching kitchen, multi-purpose classrooms and a new hardwood gym floor. The beautifully remodeled facility offers a full schedule of sports, including pickleball and basketball, as well as group exercise classes and creative activities for children and adults.
Pearl’s Books is a community-centric shop that hosts author talks and book clubs, fostering deep connections among readers.
Dad Suggests Books is a children’s bookstore with a cozy atmosphere, complete with a hobbit hole reading nook as well as books, games, craft supplies, stickers and posters for all ages.
Fayetteville Public Library is committed to strengthening the community and empowering citizens by providing free, public access to knowledge. Housed inside the architecturally stunning space are a variety of resources, including books, tools, games, cafés, a plethora of classes and events, and the Center for Innovation, including a fabrication and robotics equipment lab.
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In a category of its own, Arkadia Retrocade features 100-plus classic video games, air hockey and board games in a fun, retro arcade space reminiscent of the ‘80s and ‘90s. The $5 entry fee (cash) is good for unlimited play.
SPRINGDALE
Jones Center is arguably the ultimate regional third place. With its ice rink, indoor swimming pools and public spaces, it’s a massive community living room where people of all ages and backgrounds gather to play and relax under one roof. Plus, a new coffee concept is in the works.
The newly revived Luther George Park is 14-acres of space effortlessly uniting people and nature. Featuring a playground, amphitheater and skateboard park, it serves as a meeting ground for Springdale’s growing community.
A sprawling 120-acre space with a splash pad, dog park, ponds and plenty of trails, Shaw Family Park has something for everyone.
A specialized third place, Springdale Senior Center allows active seniors to mingle, volunteer and share daily lunches. It’s a key spot for social connection through music, games and shared meals.
Springdale Public Library is known for its Friends Bookstore and extensive Spanish-language resources, making it a critical bridge for the city’s diverse population.
ROGERS
Recently renovated, Lake Atalanta Park is one of the most scenic social spots in the region. The children’s play area, extensive boardwalks and pavilions make it a perfect “no-agenda” destination for fishing, walking or just sitting by the water.
Rogers Activity Center serves as a major indoor hub for adult and youth sports, providing a year-round space for locals to connect over shared interests.
With a splash pad, play yard for kids, picnic tables and benches, shade structures, Butterfield Stage and prime location in the heart of downtown Rogers, Railyard Park is an urban community gathering hub.
Located in The Parlour Room, Underbrush Books was born from a community book club and regularly hosts concerts and special events.
Rogers Public Library offers dedicated community rooms and is supported by The Friendly Bookstore, which provides a budget-friendly third place for book lovers. The library is currently offering limited services while undergoing repairs from tornado damage, but be sure to visit once its fully back up and running.
BENTONVILLE
Osage Park is a masterclass in modern third places, featuring a floating boardwalk, a dedicated food truck court and highly active pickleball courts. It’s designed specifically to encourage casual, passive recreation and social collisions.
With 80,000 square feet of space, Bentonville Community Center acts as the “Epicenter of Fun.” It features a “Citizens Lounge” specifically for adults 50-plus, a mini-library branch and public Wi-Fi, making it a versatile indoor third place.
The Quilt of Parks is an ambitious project connecting six downtown public spaces into one seamless “linear park” that includes Bentonville Square, Lawrence Plaza and the pedestrian-only centerpiece, A Street Promenade, offering garden nooks, play areas, café seating and a dedicated food truck court.
Two Friends Books in the 8th Street Market combines a bookstore with a café vibe, encouraging customers to linger and discuss literature over coffee.
Bentonville Public Library is a major downtown anchor that is currently expanding to include more dedicated community meeting areas and enhanced digital media space.
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COFFEE SHOPS
For some of us, our daily caffeine stop has functioned as a third place for some time.
The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops recently named Onyx Coffee Lab the No. 1 coffee shop in the world for 2026. It is the first U.S. shop to top the list. Onyx Coffee Lab’s HQ and roastery, located in The 1907 historic building in Rogers, is a cornerstone of downtown Rogers’ social scene. Onyx locations in Bentonville, Springdale and Fayetteville are also thriving.
Confident Coffee Roasters in Johnson, Fayetteville and Rogers is a woman-owned specialty coffee company and bake shop offering house-made pastries, specialty pizzas and a mix of coffee, beer and wine.
Cafe Con Chisme on Emma Avenue in Springdale is a colorful café serving coffee, specialty coffee drinks, Mexican pastries and Mexican-inspired dishes. Cultivating community and conversation is at its core.
Un Deux Trois Café in Rogers is a French-inspired café and coffee shop blending chic Parisian style with refined café fare, house-made sweet and savory pastries, artisanal coffee and tea, and a seasonal bar program.
Third Space Coffee is located inside the Best Friends Resource Center in Bentonville. Besides delicious coffee, it offers vegan and gluten-free pastries and a fun, unique experience interacting with adoptable cats and dogs.
Airship Coffee at Coler in Bentonville is a unique destination café accessible only by trail and is a mandatory social stop for hikers and mountain bikers.
In Fayetteville, Arsaga’s Coffee Roasters is the OG third place coffee shop. Family-owned and fueling Fayettevillians for more than 30 years, Arsaga’s has locations at Church and Center, the University of Arkansas Law Library, Fayetteville Public Library and Carsaga’s Drive Thru on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Each location offers a small menu to keep your belly fueled.
Boulders and Brews: Climbing and Coffee on Dickson Street in Fayetteville offers unique climbing walls and a café. It epitomizes being a third place by highlighting a supportive, welcoming community in a fun, chill atmosphere.