St. Petersburg resident Maddy O’Connor, a 29‑year‑old digital communications specialist and graphic designer, unveiled the first version of NewTree Social on the Apple App Store two weeks ago. The app is designed to help adults reconnect with their neighborhoods by surfacing local events in a familiar, scroll‑through format.
Local focus, national inspiration
After years of work‑related travel and a recent stint in Washington, D.C., O’Connor returned to the Tampa Bay area with a clear mission: recreate the sense of community she remembers from high school clubs and college groups. “I just wanted to create an experience where adults like me can get back that infrastructure they used to have,” she explained.
NewTree Social lets users select categories such as wellness, fitness, restaurants, arts and culture, nightlife, or a general option that customizes the feed. Profiles can be linked to existing social‑media accounts, and hosts can promote both free and paid gatherings. Ratings play a central role; events with the highest reviews rise to the top of each user’s feed, mirroring the algorithmic feel of larger platforms while keeping the focus local.
Safety and curation
For now, O’Connor manually approves every organizer who creates an event page, a hands‑on approach she says is essential for safety. “A hands‑on approach is key to safety,” she noted, emphasizing that community trust is the app’s backbone.
While the initial rollout targets St. Petersburg and the broader Tampa market, O’Connor hopes to expand nationwide once the platform proves its value at home. “NewTree is supposed to symbolize new beginnings and branching out and getting back to your roots,” she said, noting that the name reflects both personal renewal and the city that inspired her.
Community impact
Local leaders have praised the timing of the launch. With many residents feeling isolated by the rise of purely digital interaction, an app that encourages in‑person connection could bolster neighborhood cohesion and support small businesses hosting events. “We have so much to offer in this area,” O’Connor added. “It’s all about just being nice to your neighbor and being kind.”
NewTree Social is currently free to download, with plans for a more polished update later this week. As the platform gains traction, O’Connor envisions a future where residents can easily discover everything from a yoga class in downtown St. Pete to a live music night in Tampa’s historic district, all through a single, community‑focused feed.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
