Building a Block Association

Ideas, Stories from the Blocks

Lots of fun and functionality, few meetings

Some residents of Park Slope like to do as much as possible by email. And some blocks with people of various ages are adopting that format. Sheila Hanks reports that her block association — a well-established one on 10th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues — has not had a regular meeting in years. The work is done primarily through a complete block email list and flyers sent to all residents.

With this approach, they have been able to organize two outdoor block parties a year, including lunch and dinner in the street, stoop sales, garden tours, and pony rides, among other activities. “In the fall,” Sheila reports, “We have a live band and really good dancing.”

In autumn, this 10th Street Block Association has a fundraiser, selling mums at great prices. February features a cocktail party. In spring, there’s a block greening day. The beautiful tree guards on the block resulted from an association application to the Borough President’s office several years ago. And any time of year, when new homeowners arrive, the association treats them to a delivered dinner by block cooks, with wine and a bouquet.

Inspire us! Tell us what your Block Association is doing. 


How block associations handle everything from an annoyance to a crisis

How do you respond to a crisis on your block? You may have the answer right on your doorstep, or on the next block down. Two muggings and mischief (broken car windows, stolen gates) on a formerly peaceful Slope street reactivated a block association. Older members were able to help newer ones by explaining strategies that had worked a decade ago, and together, they built from there.

Association members spoke out at Precinct Community Council meetings and arranged for a meeting with Community Affairs Officers. They discovered they could get a street lighting survey to potentially improve illumination. Asked the Parks Department to trim back trees that blocked light. Recovered a missing front gate within hours through an email alert.

One association member volunteered to walk people from the subway to their homes after dark. Another offered self-defense training. As the situation was addressed, the block association also segued into planning a stoop sale and block party, both strong successes.

As Craig Hammerman states, “The best time to start your block association is before you face a difficult situation. Like the Boy Scouts, it’s best to ‘be prepared.’”

Have a crisis case history to share with us?  Email us.

Want suggestions to help with your crisis? Contact CB6.