PLAY

Pop-up obstacle course

Street Lab’s PLAY program enables safe, hands-free play for children on closed-off streets in high-need neighborhoods. The program builds on our work at NYC play streets since 2013, and was designed from the ground up with industrial designer Hannah Berkin-Harper in response to COVID-19. The program launched in July 2020 in conjunction with the launch of the city’s first official Play Street Program. Program elements include:

• A touch-free obstacle course with colorful barriers, hurdles, balance beams that can be arranged in any configuration and combined with chalk drawings for custom challenges;
• Street chalk and layouts for creating engaging, appropriately-distanced zones for street games, and physical activities (maze, race track);
• Signage guiding people through the installation and encouraging all to maintain a safe distance;
• Custom-designed benches stored on a rolling dolly in a compact stack; and
• Street Lab staff to oversee all.

We’re determined to make a safe place for learning and play, so kids in these neighborhoods don’t fall behind. Thanks to SPIN for early support. And now, we’re making our PLAY kit for other cities too!

PLAY Design Partner:

PLAY Fabrication Partner: