A new park pavilion brings community together

Mark Dahlquist, Executive Director, NeighborWorks Pocatello

Challenge: For more than 20 years, NeighborWorks Pocatello (NWP) in southeast Idaho successfully revitalized communities, but without support from local residents it could never fulfill its goals. NWP sought a way to demonstrate its commitment to the community and raise awareness about the organization as it marked a significant milestone.



Since 1993, NeighborWorks Pocatello (NWP) has built more than 150 new homes and completed over 300 home improvement projects. The progressive alliance in southeast Idaho between residents, business, and government revitalizes targeted areas by promoting affordable housing and community pride by establishing vital, healthy neighborhoods.

NeighborWorks Pocatello recognizes that truly revitalizing a neighborhood means doing much more than building and renovating homes. It means paying attention to things like enhancing curb appeal and bringing more balance in housing values throughout the community. Perhaps most important of all is community building - organizing and supporting grassroots efforts by residents to make the quality of life in their neighborhoods the best it can be.

As NPW neared its 20th anniversary, the organization wanted a significant, visible and permanent way to mark the milestone; one that would raise awareness about its accomplishments and promote its services. A committee formed to consider options and recognized the need for a covered structure in Caldwell Park, a 2.5-acre city green space without any shelter. Initially discussion focused on replicating a gazebo from another city park, but after much discussion it was decided that what was really needed was a more impressive structure that blended well with the historic neighborhood surrounding Caldwell Park. This would be in keeping with the organization's mission to preserve an area's character while building new homes in established neighborhoods.

An architect offered options for an imposing yet complementary pavilion. Ultimately, two building architects and a landscape architect joined the effort at no cost, offering their services because they saw the project would add value to the community. The new pavilion completed in 2014 features 1,500 square feet of covered space and includes power hook-ups, lighting and full accessibility for people with disabilities. New landscaping surrounds the structure and a grassy slope offer spectators a place to gather for performances or community events.

The NeighborWorks Pocatello pavilion is triangular with three supporting pillars representing the three sectors that make up the organization: residents, business and government. The color scheme was carefully selected to complement the surrounding neighborhood. The copper-colored roof even corresponds to the roof of another nearby historic building.

Now more visitors come to Caldwell Park thanks to the new pavilion, which frequently hosts concerts, family reunions and weddings. An inscription in the pavilion's granite reads: “Providing shelter to all, the NeighborWorks Pavilion stands as evidence that being a good neighbor works – for the individual, the neighborhood and the community.”   

With much help from neighborhood leaders and multiple generous funders, the organization completed the project in less than two years. To cover the pavilion's $127,000 cost, NWP first had to secure a lead donor. Fortunately, the private Ifft Foundation, which supports community beautification efforts in southeast Idaho, stepped forward with a $10,000 seed grant and later awarded more grants totaling $40,000. NeighborWorks Pocatello committed $10,000 of its own funds in the initial phase and this combined early funding facilitated efforts to secure other donors. Potential funders were now able to see the project as viable. In an effort to encourage and recognize smaller donors, those in the $100 range, two large granite plaques with donors' names were placed on the pavilion columns. This method secured a total of 125 smaller donors. Many of these new donors had never contributed to housing programs, but the pavilion motivated them to support NeighborWorks Pocatello.

Many valuable lessons were learned through this process. First and foremost, devising and completing a public project creates excitement and collaboration in the community and promotes goodwill toward your organization. Many prospective donors who would not initially contribute to bread-and-butter programs like housing will start to do so as they come to understand the organization's broader mission. Including residents affected by the project also generates significant support and resources. Finally, set standards high and never lose enthusiasm for telling the community why you are here and how you make a difference.