Arlington is working on its next master plan, and the city has introduced a board game to get advice from residents. "Growing a Better Arlington" is available to be played or checked out from library branches across the city.
"They look at the map and see, 'Okay, I have all this future growth we're planning for over the next 20 years, where do I start placing it on the map?'" says John Chapman, Arlington's long range planning manager. "The map helps you make those decisions."
The map has Arlington's current layout with areas considered "established," "vacant" and "underutilized." Hospitals, libraries, parks and schools are also labeled.
During the game, players choose "framework cards" for "live," "work," and "play." The cards lay out different strategies to build a city such as how many homes would be included in a development and how many jobs might be created.
"They represent in a general terminology how people will live, work and play in these new developments in Arlington," Chapman says.
Players also set targets for growth by plotting the location of libraries, health care, community centers, schools and parks.
Chapman says the game gives people a chance to see how Arlington chooses the location of parks and public land. He says this can then give people a chance to give an informed opinion about the city's future by showing areas where land might be cheaper but require a larger investment for developers to build.
"This objectively is trying to capture from our community members how they would like to see Arlington evolve in the future," he says.
Players also take "prompt cards" that force them to respond to unexpected events. Some are positive like, "new businesses flood into your downtown. Sales tax revenues soar." Another shows a community event is more successful than expected, "generating excitement for creative spaces."
Positive or negative, Chapman says prompt cards can show real issues cities face.
"One of the prompt cards is exactly what Arlington just went through: a budget deficit," he says. "That creates a struggle where a city needs to take time and resources to solve."
Players will work together to place amenities like parks and libraries. Chapman says the game can show why Arlington might choose one neighborhood for a park over another. He says groups that play the game can devise their own long-term strategy and see potential impact of their decisions.
"What's just made me so excited about this game is seeing all the light bulbs flick on as they're playing something with friends and family, talking about all the areas of Arlington and dreaming about what they can be," Chapman says.
Each Arlington library branch has two copies of the game available to be checked out and one copy that can be played by groups inside the library. More information is available at https://www.arlingtonlistens.com/comprehensive-plan.