Our Story
It was 2020, during the COVID pandemic, when an idea for Third Space Recreation began to take shape. I began organizing outdoor activities—including group hikes, rock climbing trips, paddleboarding excursions, and camping trips to create community and build meaningful connections.
As Vice President at a local community service organization, and working on innovative strategies to increase membership, I was introduced to Bowling Alone—Robert D. Putnam’s groundbreaking book and documentary which highlights research on the steady erosion of civic engagement and social capital in America. Putnam’s research uncovered a decline in club membership and participation as early as the 1950s, and I quickly recognized a greater need for Third Space Recreation.
Founded in 2025, Third Space Recreation is a purpose-driven social enterprise committed to designing meaningful social engagement through recreation. The name is derived from American sociologist, Ray Oldenburg, who in the 1980's developed the notion of a "third place": a space for informal, free social interaction, essential to democracy.​
Social Impact Objectives
Recreation
We organize recreation and social events throughout Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. We strive to create environments where individuals can engage, connect, and thrive.
Partnerships
We maintain a local-first mindset by coordinating with small businesses, non-profit organizations, and small-scale recreation providers such as group fitness instructors and grassroots programs.
Community Advocate
We’re dedicated to strengthening social capital and raising awareness about the power of community through educational resources, articles, blogs, impactful events, and inspiring presentations.