Third Places: Finding a home away from home
Most nights, the lobby of a former bank along Main Street in downtown Butler is filled with the sounds of lively conversation, fantasy role-play dialogue and sound effects from vintage video games; a point of pride for its owners.
The location, Your Parent’s Basement, is just one example of a “third place” — a space outside of home and work intended to foster social interaction and community engagement.
Over past decades, the decline in availability of such social spaces has been documented. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated lockdown seemed like the last nail in the coffin for social spaces, as restrictions made them shut their doors.
Yet, after the lockdown’s end and much of society returned to normal, many advocates are speaking up for a return to form. Some of these advocates even own or operate third places here in Butler County.
The Butler YMCA has been operating since 1886. It runs the Butler YMCA in Butler, the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA in Cranberry Township, Armco Park in Slippery Rock Township, and South Butler Child Care in Jefferson Township.
Outside of the traditional fitness centers expected in any gym, the YMCA also offers programs such as aquatics, group exercises and sports.
Heidi Nicholls Bowser, membership and healthy living director for the Butler YMCA, said the YMCA offers social interaction and volunteer opportunities more than your typical gym might.
“Some gyms offer a more niche experience, but we are for everyone,” Bowser said.
She said she’s seen people come to the YMCA for various reasons, ranging from health and wellness to more social opportunities. She referenced the YMCA mission statement — building a healthy spirit, mind and body for all — as key inspiration behind its operations.
“It’s important for people to find their home away from home,” Bowser said. “I always say that if you find your tribe, you find your fun.”
She said that if a person’s barrier into the YMCA is due to cost, the organization offers a financial scholarship that can be applied for. The scholarship is a discount on membership or program fees.
Membership costs range depending on the age and number of members on a plan.
Not every organization offering a third place in Butler has a long history, however. Some, like Your Parent’s Basement, were conceptualized with the hopes of bringing social spaces back to the area.
Your Parent’s Basement, 106 S. Main St., opened in 2023 as a new social club primarily tailored around tabletop board gaming, role-playing and war gaming. It operates out of the first three floors of a former PNC bank building built in 1925.
Since it was purchased, the building has been repurposed to fit the needs of its new home business. For example, the safety deposit boxes in the vault now serve as storage compartments for members.
Ray Frenden, one of the owners, talked about the experience of running a social space in a Facebook post commending the second anniversary of the business.
“If a controller didn’t spark your nostalgia or break down the thin barriers of worry that govern so many social interactions and opportunities to meet others, maybe singing karaoke (well or not, it makes no difference) is the place where you can forget about the pressures of the world and find the simple joy of being a living, thinking, feeling thing,” Frenden wrote in the post.
Frenden said he recognizes a need for social spaces not only in Butler, but across much of the United States. One of his key inspirations behind the foundation of Your Parent’s Basement is the desire to create one tailored to many of his passions.
Those interested in going to Your Parent’s Basement can purchase a two-hour pass for $10 per person and a day pass for $15 per person.
For the more outdoorsy, parks serve as another option classified under the third places label. Butler County Parks and Recreation, which primarily operates out of Alameda Park, aims to ensure residents and visitors have an outdoor space available.
“It feels good to be outside and connect to nature, improve your overall physical health, cognitive function, self-esteem, overall mood, sleep, social interaction and stress relief,” Butler County Parks and Recreation director Lance Welliver said. “It is vital for people to enjoy the outdoors, interact with people and improve your quality of life by visiting a park.”
Outside of running the park, BCPR offers numerous activities, such as coed flag football, sand volleyball, disc golf, swim lessons and more.
“All our programs provide an opportunity to meet people, interact and socialize in a beautiful park setting,” Welliver said. “Some of our programs charge a fee, while many of our events are generally at no cost or minimal cost.”
Welliver said feedback from the community related to programs and park maintenance has been “tremendously” positive so far.
“We want to continue to offer and maintain our services, amenities, programs and events at a high level, while having residents enjoy a great experience while visiting our parks,” he said.
Admission to Alameda Park is free. The Alameda Waterpark is free for children younger than 2, $8 for children ages 3 through 12 and $10 for adults.
Regardless of whether one wants to go to a park, a social club or to their local YMCA, Butler County residents have plenty of options for third places. Ultimately, it's up to each person to find a space, and a community, that fits them best.
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Patrons play Mortal Kombat II at Your Parent's Basement on Main Street in Butler on Friday, March 14. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Tons of older board games at Your Parent's Basement on Main Street in Butler on Friday, March 14. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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TV art is seen as patrons make their way in at Your Parent's Basement on Main Street in Butler on Friday, March 14. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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A recreation of a 1980s living room at Your Parent's Basement on Main Street in Butler on Friday, March 14. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Some patrons play Rock Band at Your Parent's Basement on Main Street in Butler on Friday, March 14. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Ray Frenden and Jen Osborne, co-owners at Your Parent's Basement, on Main Street in Butler on Friday, March 14. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
