Improving one’s community is no game. Well, in Arlington it actually is.
As part of the Innovate Arlington Comprehensive Plan, the city’s residents are invited to play Growing a Better Arlington, a new, interactive board game that puts you in the role of managing the city’s future. Participants can make decisions about where people should live, work, learn and play.
And while it’s a fun activity, city leaders are paying attention to ideas from citizens who play the game.
The game is designed for two to six players. The challenge is to balance growth, resources, and quality of life while building a city together. Players will use “Dream Coins” to fund projects like housing, parks, and infrastructure, all while responding to surprise events and community needs.
The goal: to meet Arlington’s future growth trajectories without compromising the character that makes the city unique – you know, just like the folks who actually run the city strive to do.
John Chapman, City of Arlington Long Ranger Planning Manager, said MIG, Inc., the lead project consultant, has deployed similar games in other cities.
“We have found this ‘gamified’ public engagement method to be an effective way to inform comprehensive plan maps and policies, while also educational for the public.,” Chapman said.
He noted public input has been positive so far. For example, numerous citizens have opted for re-developing Division Street, opening urban corridors along the major interstates such as Interstate 20 and I-30, a development around lake Arlington where citizens can enjoy the water feature, and the development along U.S. Highway 287.
“Citizens’ input is extremely valuable as it informs city employees and consultants what type of growth citizens would like to see in Arlington. Do they want more entertainment districts? Tech campus? More parks and open spaces? These important framework questions are answered through the gameplay,” Chapman said. “After the game board engagement phase is over, the Innovate Arlington team will compile all the data and begin writing a visionary framework for the Innovate Arlington Comprehensive Plan, which will give a solid, foundation for Arlington’s future growth.”
Game results will directly inform land use and development strategies for the next 20 years. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to Arlington, you can play – literally – a role in building a better future.
The City will also host free Community Board Game Nights from time to time.
You can also play the game at any Arlington Public Library. Each branch will have three board games — two available for cardholders to check out and one available for in-library play. A single-player version will also be offered online through an interactive mapping survey.
Want to play with your neighborhood association, HOA, or civic group? Submit a request and a member of the Innovate Arlington team will help schedule a game session.
“While most game nights are with small to medium-sized Arlington community groups that have expressed interest in hosting their own game night, there are larger community game nights,” Chapman said.
To see when and where game nights are being held, visit www.arlingtontx.gov or www.arlingtonlistens.com. To schedule a family or group game night, www.arlingtontx.gov/BoardGame and sign-up. For the single player mode, go to https://arcg.is/1qHSHK4.
And, to learn more about the Innovate Arlington Comprehensive Plan process, visit arlingtonlistens.com or ArlingtonTX.gov/CompPlan.
