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!
NYC Mayor announcing Street Lab at 2020 Play Streets:
PLAY Design Partner:
Hannah Berkin-Harper
PLAY Fabrication Partner:
Bancroft Design
PLAY Founding Sponsors:
Lead Sponsor 2020
NYC COVID-19 Response and Impact Fund at The New York Community Trust
Blog posts about PLAY:
BUILD NYC pops up at Bronx play street at NYCHA Butler Houses
We're in the midst of a month-long effort to bring opportunities for learning to NYC Play Streets hosted by the Police Athletic League (PAL). Today, our BUILD NYC program was a hit at Butler Houses, and we'll be back around next week! Our work at play...
Uni Project launches 2018 effort to bring playful learning opportunities to NYC Play Streets
Today, the Uni Project began a month-long series of pop-up installations at NYC Play Streets, and we brought our program BUILD with Lego and more to a play street at Butler Houses (NYCHA), hosted by the Police Athletic League (PAL). Since 1914, PAL has...