An Afternoon Cul-de-Sac Play Street

During the COVID-19 lockdown in a regional town of Queensland, one place-making oriented household had an idea to bring the neighbours together. They wrote a letter suggesting a Sunday afternoon socially-distanced street party and letterboxed the block while walking the dog.

After being shut in for months, her neighbours were more than happy to contribute something. One house offered a BBQ, another fairy bread and fruit, one put out chairs and hula-hoops, another a toasted marshmellow station. One house happened to know a gypsy jazz band, and so the entertainment was sorted.

It was fantastic afternoon, happening from 3.00 - 5.00pm, where people new to the street made new friends, children frolicked and the band was enjoyed by all. It was easy to social distance, and all the adults were great at supervising all the kids.

“We should do this a few times a year!” was the overwhelmingly common response.