Street Lab at Decatur Ave

Fordham, Bronx

2023 – Present

In 2023, the Decatur Block Association asked Street Lab to help implement a bold vision for their street, including the re-establishment of summer Play Streets in the neighborhood and more. Over the past two years, we’ve worked together to pilot these ideas, starting with a series of block parties in 2023 leading into the launch of the neighborhood’s first NYC DOT Open Street in 2024. Along the way, Street Lab has provided programming, gear, staffing, technical support, permitting, and now fiscal sponsorship to help the Block Association build on this momentum in the years ahead. And we’re already planning more for 2025—stay tuned!

Three woman and a girl posting on the street.

Our Community Partner

Decatur Block Association brings together community members who were born and raised on the block, who collectively have 100+ years of history on Decatur Ave.

Children playing on a blue, river-like foam structure on the street.
A wooden chalk board that has "Imagine with Decatur" written on it.
Mom with a child and another older child writing things on the paper on a wooden table on the street.
A wooden chalk board that has "Imagine with Decatur" written on it.
A wooden chalk board that has "Imagine with Decatur" written on it.
Adults and kids playing together on the street.

How Street Lab supported Decatur Ave

  • Planning and permits for new NYC DOT Open Street
  • Consistent activation and programming (33 days to date)
  • Partnerships with other organizations for storage, staffing
  • Community engagement
  • Photography, evaluation, documentation
  • Fiscal sponsorship (allowing grant funding for first time)
People planting on the street.
A map showing three NYC boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens) with a dot in the Bronx.

Decatur Ave between E 194th St and E 195th St

A view of adults and children spending time together on the street.
Children playing with straw building structures on the street.
Mom with a child and another older child writing things on the paper on a wooden table on the street.

“We are trying to foster a community where our children feel safe in our streets. A place where they can play and learn all at once. A community where we can actually commune with our neighbors.”

Nkosa Barrett,
Decatur Block Association

People planting on the street.
People planting on the street.
An adult and a child playing chess on the street.
A view of people spending town on an open street
People playing games on the street.
A child and an adult playing with magnatiles on the street.
Adults and kids playing together on the street.
A view of a block party.
A photo that shows people planting in the background. In the foreground, there are signs that read "with support from AARP" and "plan with us!"

“Street Lab, you guys Rock! You all made so much possible for us this summer! And it kind of put us on the map as local Community Organizers. We can only go up from here. Thank you!”

Nkosa Barrett,
Decatur Block Association

People dancing on the street.
Adults and kids playing together on the street.
Adults and kids playing together on the street.
A photo that shows people planting in the background. In the foreground, there are signs that read "with support from AARP" and "plan with us!"

Decatur Ave is part of Street Lab’s New Public Spaces initiative. Learn more here.

A collage of blue and yellow photo cards with photo & text.
Children and adults playing with jump rope on the street.