Case Study

Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association: Day of Play

For more than 40 years, the GreaterWilliamson Road Area Business Association (GWRABA) has supported businesses andstrengthened community identity along the Williamson Road corridor. In 2025, GWRABA expanded its impact by launching the inaugural Commonwealth Day of Play—a large-scale, family-focused event designed to bring the community together in a meaningful way.

Partnering with Brookside Par 3 Golf Course, GWRABA created a unique, screen-free environment where families, local businesses, and first responders could connect through play. The result was a highly attended, widely praised event that strengthened community relationships and positioned GWRABA as a leader in community engagement.

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The Solution

GWRABA developed a strategic,partnership-driven event designed to deliver meaningful community impact.

 

Research &Insights

  • Gathered feedback from families, businesses, and public safety     partners
  • Identified demand for interactive, outdoor programming
  • Evaluated venues and selected Brookside Par 3 Golf Course for     its open, flexible environment
  • Recognized opportunity to create a fully screen-free experience

Strategic Planning

Primary Goals:

  • Promote active, outdoor play
  • Strengthen relationships between families and first responders
  • Elevate GWRABA’s role as a community leader
  • Support and showcase local businesses

Target Audiences:

  • Families with children
  • Local businesses and vendors
  • First responders and community organizations
  • Volunteers and community partners

Core Strategy:

  • Position the event as a “celebration of play”
  • Leverage partnerships to expand reach and impact
  • Create an engaging, inclusive, and accessible environment

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Results

Attendance & Engagement:

  • 360+ children attended, along with hundreds of family members
  • High dwell time and repeat engagement throughout the event

Partnership Success:

  • Exceeded goal of 5–7 partners with broad participation
  • Active involvement from first responders, vendors, and community     organizations
  • Strengthened relationships across stakeholder groups

Community Impact:

  • Meaningful interactions between families and public safety teams
  • Increased trust and positive perception of first responders
  • Nearly zero device usage observed among children, validating the     screen-free concept

Brand & Organizational Impact:

  • Elevated GWRABA’s visibility and reputation as a community leader
  • Strengthened connection between local businesses and residents
  • Established a new signature event for the corridor

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Challenge:

GWRABA identified a keyopportunity—and gap—in the community:

Limited Family-Centered EngagementOpportunities

  • Lack of large-scale, accessible events for families
  • Growing demand for low-cost, outdoor, screen-free activities

Need for Positive Community Connection

  • Opportunity to build stronger relationships between families and     first responders
  • Desire to create shared experiences that foster trust and engagement    

Supporting Local Businesses

  • Local businesses seeking increased visibility and community     interaction
  • Need for a platform that benefits both families and the business     community

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challenge:

GWRABA identified a keyopportunity—and gap—in the community:

Limited Family-Centered EngagementOpportunities

  • Lack of large-scale, accessible events for families
  • Growing demand for low-cost, outdoor, screen-free activities

Need for Positive Community Connection

  • Opportunity to build stronger relationships between families and     first responders
  • Desire to create shared experiences that foster trust and engagement    

Supporting Local Businesses

  • Local businesses seeking increased visibility and community     interaction
  • Need for a platform that benefits both families and the business     community

‍

Results

Attendance & Engagement:

  • 360+ children attended, along with hundreds of family members
  • High dwell time and repeat engagement throughout the event

Partnership Success:

  • Exceeded goal of 5–7 partners with broad participation
  • Active involvement from first responders, vendors, and community     organizations
  • Strengthened relationships across stakeholder groups

Community Impact:

  • Meaningful interactions between families and public safety teams
  • Increased trust and positive perception of first responders
  • Nearly zero device usage observed among children, validating the     screen-free concept

Brand & Organizational Impact:

  • Elevated GWRABA’s visibility and reputation as a community leader
  • Strengthened connection between local businesses and residents
  • Established a new signature event for the corridor

‍

solution/approach:

GWRABA developed a strategic,partnership-driven event designed to deliver meaningful community impact.

 

Research &Insights

  • Gathered feedback from families, businesses, and public safety     partners
  • Identified demand for interactive, outdoor programming
  • Evaluated venues and selected Brookside Par 3 Golf Course for     its open, flexible environment
  • Recognized opportunity to create a fully screen-free experience

Strategic Planning

Primary Goals:

  • Promote active, outdoor play
  • Strengthen relationships between families and first responders
  • Elevate GWRABA’s role as a community leader
  • Support and showcase local businesses

Target Audiences:

  • Families with children
  • Local businesses and vendors
  • First responders and community organizations
  • Volunteers and community partners

Core Strategy:

  • Position the event as a “celebration of play”
  • Leverage partnerships to expand reach and impact
  • Create an engaging, inclusive, and accessible environment

‍

results:

Attendance & Engagement:

  • 360+ children attended, along with hundreds of family members
  • High dwell time and repeat engagement throughout the event

Partnership Success:

  • Exceeded goal of 5–7 partners with broad participation
  • Active involvement from first responders, vendors, and community     organizations
  • Strengthened relationships across stakeholder groups

Community Impact:

  • Meaningful interactions between families and public safety teams
  • Increased trust and positive perception of first responders
  • Nearly zero device usage observed among children, validating the     screen-free concept

Brand & Organizational Impact:

  • Elevated GWRABA’s visibility and reputation as a community leader
  • Strengthened connection between local businesses and residents
  • Established a new signature event for the corridor

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key takeaways:

  • Experience drives connection: Shared     activities create stronger community bonds
  • Simplicity wins: Screen-free,     low-cost events can deliver high impact
  • Partnerships amplify reach: Collaboration     expands both scale and success
  • Place matters: Unique venues     can transform ordinary events into memorable experiences

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conclusion:

Attendance & Engagement:

  • 360+ children attended, along with hundreds of family members
  • High dwell time and repeat engagement throughout the event

Partnership Success:

  • Exceeded goal of 5–7 partners with broad participation
  • Active involvement from first responders, vendors, and community     organizations
  • Strengthened relationships across stakeholder groups

Community Impact:

  • Meaningful interactions between families and public safety teams
  • Increased trust and positive perception of first responders
  • Nearly zero device usage observed among children, validating the     screen-free concept

Brand & Organizational Impact:

  • Elevated GWRABA’s visibility and reputation as a community leader
  • Strengthened connection between local businesses and residents
  • Established a new signature event for the corridor

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