Neo/Presearch Energy Foundation, Inc.

Our organization has been running the Lyman Place Play Street, located in the poverty-stricken South Bronx neighborhood of Foxhurst, for the past 38 years. A NYC play street closes off from traffic a one-way residential street where 51% of block residents sign a petition. This provides a safe place for children to play in an area lacking in other safe havens. It is usually approved by the local police precinct and is completely free of charge.

It operates Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, in the months of July and August. Generally, we have to provide certain basic amenities to make the play street a viable place for children to be active in - setting up and watching over volleyball nets, basketball hoops, board games, arts and crafts, and the like. Most importantly, however, the play street needs a strong human presence to provide guidance to the children and to manage the play street itself.

The play street also runs or supports other activities, such as trips to Bear Mountain or planting trees on sidewalks. All of these activities are aimed at supporting commnity cohesion, safety, and health, and all of them require volunteers on the ground. No special skills required; the play street needs workers outside with the children, but it also needs help in fundraising and other management tasks.