Parkland Meet-up {courtesy}
A new community-led group in Parkland is creating space for single adults who want to connect in person without the pressure of dating apps.
Parkland Singles Meetup was founded by lifelong Parkland resident Melissa Freed and co-organized by Lauren Mayer, both divorced mothers who live in the city’s Town Parc neighborhood.
The pair says the group was created to serve single professionals, divorced parents, parents of grown children, and newcomers who are deeply invested in the community but often struggle to find organic ways to socialize in a town largely centered around families and schools.
“The idea came together very organically,” Freed tells Parkland Talk, “Lauren and I were sitting at her home one evening talking about life. She’s recently divorced, and I’ve been divorced since 2019. She shared how frustrating and impersonal dating apps have been, and I remember saying, ‘Then we should just create our own Parkland-based singles group.’”
Freed, a Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Class of 2000 graduate, said she recognized a growing need among residents whose lives had changed but who still loved living in Parkland.
“I kept hearing from people who loved Parkland but felt disconnected socially once their lives changed,” Freed said. “Creating a Parkland-based singles group felt like a natural way to bring people together locally, without apps, pressure, or having to leave the community they already call home.”
From that initial conversation, the group quickly took shape. Freed and Mayer envisioned something community-focused and in person, with regular meetups and collaborations with local establishments. They began organizing the group the next day.
The first meetup was held on January 8 at Dear Olivia, drawing more than 65 attendees. The response exceeded expectations, and interest continued to grow following the event.
The group’s Facebook community has since expanded to more than 400 members.
“After that first night, the chatter really took off,” Freed said. “It showed us there was a real desire for this kind of connection.”
Freed tells Parkland Talk that Parkland Singles Meetup typically hosts events about once a month at relaxed neighborhood venues, such as local restaurants and bars. The group will organize smaller gatherings, including pickleball meetups, to create additional opportunities for connection, all while also supporting local businesses.
While the group is intentionally broad, it generally attracts adults in their late 30s through 50s. Many members are divorced, widowed, or simply looking to meet people organically within their own community rather than relying solely on dating apps.
Freed emphasized that the group is not strictly dating-focused.
“One of the most meaningful outcomes so far has been hearing from members who say how refreshing it feels to connect in person again,” she said. “For many, it’s about rebuilding confidence, making new friends, and feeling less isolated. It’s as much about community as it is about dating.”
Freed said both she and Mayer felt it was important to build something local and community-first, especially as parents raising their families in Parkland.
“We wanted to create a welcoming space that reflects the kind of community Parkland is,” she said. “It’s about strengthening local ties and helping people feel like they belong.”
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