While it’s easy to find endless entertainment throughout New York City, this can be a challenge for underserved communities. Street Lab is making this a safe reality by showing how public space can be utilized in our local neighborhoods.
Co-founded by Leslie and Sam Davol, Street Lab is a non-profit that creates temporary “pop-up” programs for city streets and public places in New York City, including parks, plazas and parking lots. Designed for all ages, these transportable “pop-up” public play spaces are meant to be assembled and broken-down within hours.
Mainly financed through donations, city and state grants, and contracts with city agencies, Street Lab’s goal is to improve the urban environment, strengthen neighborhoods, and bring New Yorkers together. Street Lab simply goes where they are requested, primarily through groups or organizations that cater to low-income and minority communities, but to also provide a safe space for women and children.
“Our idea is to create installations where people gather in public space,” said Sam Davol. “It’s also about bringing New Yorkers out from their apartment or from behind the walls and to do things together. It helps to elevate learning in that neighborhood and also provide access to those things where they might not be available.”
The concept for Street Lab came to fruition back in 2006 when the Davols were living in Boston after creating a “pop-up” film series and storefront library in their neighborhood. Fast forward to 2011, the family relocated to New York City and launched the Uni Project. The “Uni,” which stood for “urban neighborhood institution,” consisted of stackable cubes that formed a portable reading center. Each cube held books of a different theme, such as art, music or nature. It debuted at a public market on September 11, 2011, in Lower Manhattan.
As quickly as the demand increased for these “pop-up” public spaces, so did the vision of the Uni Project. Later rebranded to its current name, Street Lab, in 2018, the organization added more “pop-up” programs to their repertoire, such as DRAW (a “pop-up” open-air art studio), BUILD (with “pop-up” interactive building stations), and EXPLORE (a “pop-up” hands-on nature exhibit). Additionally, these portable “pop-ups” featured customized stations made in Street Lab’s Red Hook, Brooklyn, studio, using high quality materials that made it easy to transport and assemble.
When the COVID-19 pandemic devasted New York City in 2020, it left many businesses and organizations questioning when normal life could resume. For Street Lab, it presented opportunity. Where was the one place people could collaborate safely while adhering to social distancing guidelines? Outside.
With a full-time staff of six employees and anywhere up to 30 part-time workers, Street Lab provided 353 “pop-ups” in 2022, more than double the number in 2019. With the help of both the NYC Dept. of Transportation and NYC Dept. of Parks & Recreation, Street Lab has developed relationships with more than 140 different local groups for continued and sustainable success. However, the team knows there is still more growth to achieve.
“I want it to fulfill the promise of its name for New York City,” said Leslie Davol. “For us all to envision the streets, our public spaces and the streetscape to be the city we want it to be — that supports us living together and connecting New Yorkers.”
MORE ABOUT HOPE WEEK
(Please also visit hopeweek.com)
At its core, HOPE Week is about people helping people. The one thing everybody has — no matter their background or financial situation — is time. By involving every one of our players and coaches, Manager Aaron Boone, General Manager Brian Cashman, our minor league affiliates and front office staff during the celebration of HOPE Week, the Yankees send the message that everyone can give of themselves to make their community a better place.
Equally significant during HOPE Week is garnering publicity for highlighted causes and organizations. The greatest challenge facing many not-for-profits is generating interest, awareness and funding for their missions.
At the conclusion of every HOPE Week since 2010, the Yankees organization has been honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award from AmeriCorps, given “in recognition and appreciation of commitment to strengthening the nation and for making a difference through volunteer service.” The awards are bestowed by AmeriCorps, which empowers Americans from all backgrounds to answer the President’s Call to Service.
The Yankees encourage all their fans to get involved … Give HOPE!