We describe the iterative design of a location-sensitive mobile application for community engagement and its use at two consecutive community-oriented "First Night" (New Year's Eve) events. Based on initial analysis of personal status posts, blog posts, and semi-structured interviews, we show that providing users with mobile tools relevant to time and locational contexts in their community can scaffold engagement within a community. In the second year of the study we draw from server log data

more »

... ter the event was promoted for public use. Enhancements to the design are discussed to further support civic participation in distributed community contexts, and design lessons are drawn.