Building a Block Association

A Guide for How to Do It Right and Soon

A block party is as Brooklyn as brick oven pizza. A block party makes your street, avenue, or building a place for fun, games, and connecting with neighbors.

Here’s how to make one summer’s day (or spring or fall day) a delightful memory.

I. PLANNING

About 4 months before your party
•    Meet with your Block Association or a group of interested neighbors.
•    Set a date and a rain date. Avoid scheduling on holiday weekends.
•    Review activities others have offered for Block Party (see suggestions in section three of this guide).
•    Scope out your events and activities, their associated costs, and how you will cover those costs.
•    Give each organizer one event or activity to organize and try to work in pairs. Involve as many people as possible in “owning” events or activities and taking responsibility for planning and leading them.
•    Get email addresses of organizers and other block members for communicating about planning and for updates.

By 3 months before
•    Download a Street Activity Permit. This application must be submitted to Community Board 6, 250 Baltic St., at least 60 days before your event. The sooner, the better, so you know your date is firm when planning. Here's what you need to take with you to the community board office (CB6 offers some helpful tips on its website):
1.    The completed application
2.    A certified check for $15, payable to The City of New York Department of Finance
3.    Four first-class stamps.
4.    A letter of permission from your Block Association, or from 20 block residents (with addresses).

•    Determine if you want amplified sound (DJ, live band, etc.). Contact your local police precinct for a permit. It’s $45.
•    Consider a banner. You can get a banner permit from the New York City Department of Transportation.
•    Think about sprinkler caps for hydrants. Contact your nearby fire department.
•    Decide if you will try to secure a Mobile Unit from The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, which offers in-line skating, games, and more! It’s a long shot, but you can try; download an application.
•    Involve businesses, institutions, or houses of worship on your block.

2 months before
•    Distribute save-the-date reminders by email or under-the-door fliers once your street activity permit has been approved.
•    Check in with your local precinct on the date of your party. Confer about how to close off the block and to post signs a week before your party that say “No Parking” on the date of your party.

1 month before
•    Schedule a quick status update on who is doing what and when.
•    Send a reminder to everyone on your block with your list of activities and times they will occur during the day and include the names of some of the folks and families who have committed to participating. 

1 week before
•    Post your first round of “No Parking” signs.
•    Send a final reminder and remember that humor gets people’s attention.

48 hours before
•    Post your final round of “No Parking” signs and the informational signs that come with your permit.
•    Hold a final pow-wow among organizers to be sure your game plan is sound.

II. THE BIG DAY!
•    Close your street as soon as it is permitted.
•    Set up coffee and snacks for the organizers, early risers, and children.
•    Start a “Block Sweep” (clean-up) by 10 am to get people out on the block.
•    Tie balloons and decorations to front fences.
•    Offer materials for children to decorate their bikes, skates, rollerblades, scooters because their excitement at being able to move around freely without fear of cars is infectious.

Have a wonderful time!
 
III. RESOURCES
Here are two useful websites:
•    “Turn Up the Hi-Fi: The Block Party is Ready”
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/02/nyregion/02block.html
•    http://www.blockpartynyc.org/

And here are a menu of activities and events that other Brooklynites have included in their block parties:
•    A pet parade. Dogs in their best bandannas. Squirmy cats. A turtle or two. Kids get a “metal” for showing off their favorite animals.
•    A bike parade. Crepe paper, playing cards and clothespins, ribbons
•    Ultimate hopscotch. Hop-hop-hop the biggest, silliest course.
•    Cupcake decorating. Homemade frosted cupcakes, topped with trays of sprinkles, candies, and trimmings. Kids eat their entries. Variation: ice-cream sundaes.
•    Face painting. The old reliable never fails to fascinate!
•    Pools and sprinklers. Ask your fire department to put a sprinkler cap on your hydrant, and pool your wading pools at an appropriate distance, so kids can splash and play!
•    Horses and ponies. Check with your local stable for stalwart steeds.
•    Lunch. Grilled hot dogs. Pizza. PBJs. Lemonade.
•    Ping-pong ball on the spoon. And other silly races and games.
•    Bouncy rides. Check for electrical usage, insurance and permits of the contractor.
•    Limbo contests/hula hooping. How low can you go?
•    Stickball. With real Spaldeens! Bring it back!
•    Bubble station. For the littler ones. A quiet island in the fun.
•    Book give-away. New or used tomes, depending on the number of authors on your block!
•    STOOP sales.
•    Chalking and bubble-blowing.
•    Volleyball if you can figure out how to set up a net.
•    Knock hockey. And other favorite rowdy tabletop games.
•    Visit from the fire truck. If not otherwise occupied!
•    Pony rides in the afternoon.
•    Potluck dinner in the street. With a little music on the side. Ask participants to contribute tables and chairs to set up in the center of your block. Add table clothes, vases of flowers, and candles. Toast a day of good times and renewed ties of community.
 
-Linda Gnat-Mullin and  Park Slope Civic Council STOOPendous Committee