What formats and scheduling work best for recurring neighborhood meetups?

[Jerry_J]

I'm trying to organize a regular neighborhood meetup in our suburban community to help new residents connect and build a stronger sense of local community, but our initial attempts at a weekend park gathering had low turnout. I'm thinking of shifting to a weekday evening potluck or a themed activity like a group walk. For others who have successfully run recurring local meetups, what format and scheduling have you found attracts the most diverse mix of people, including families and retirees? How do you effectively spread the word beyond just social media, and what are some simple, low-cost activities that help break the ice and encourage ongoing participation? I'm also unsure how to handle the logistics of a potluck in a public space.