NEWBURGH: DESIGN FOR PLAY

Photo credit: Street Lab

Photo credit: Street Lab

DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS:
MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2020

INTRODUCTION

How can we transform our streets so that children - young and old - can safely play, learn, socialize and have fun this summer, and beyond? With support from the City of Newburgh, we’re seeking your most innovative and creative ideas to activate Newburgh’s streets. Anyone can apply!

We will choose up to 5 of the best ideas to receive a stipend to develop them further to be installed in the City of Newburgh. We will publish many more on the @designforsixfeet Instagram page and share them broadly to help cities across the United States and the globe in their efforts to safely reopen.

This competition is a community effort co-organized by Design For Six Feet, the Awesome Newburgh Foundation, the City of Newburgh, Columbia GSAPP Hudson Valley Initiative, Dept of Small Interventions, The Fullerton Center, and the Newburgh Armory Unity Center. We would like to thank the Williams Legacy Foundation and the J.M. Kapan Fund for providing key financial support to make this competition possible — and get Newburgh playing again!

THE CHALLENGE

Cities big and small are rapidly changing their streets, sometimes over the course of several days, to help their residents stay safe in a time of crisis and to prepare people and societies for the health, social, and economic recovery ahead. 

Like many other cities, as the City of Newburgh begins to re-open, people are ready to come out of isolation: children want to play and neighbors want to re-connect. Research shows it is safer to be outdoors. Our shared public space and streets are the best opportunity to be together, while maintaining physical distance. 

This Rolling Slow Streets initiative is intended to give residents more space for recreation in their own neighborhoods. Selected portions of streets will be closed to traffic, prioritizing the streets for use by residents. Reimagining these spaces will enable people to move around while facilitating social distancing. Click here to read more about Outdoor Summer Recreation Programming in the City of Newburgh, including information about the first set of designated streets that will close for recreation.


Map of Newburgh's Parks_Credit_Columbia GSAPP Historic Preservation Studio Spring 2018.jpg

In Newburgh, 3% of the land is used for parks and recreation, but the street network is the largest public space in the city.

To capitalize on this, the City of Newburgh is launching a Rolling Slow Streets initiative on Monday, July 13.

Image credit: Columbia GSAPP Historic Preservation Studio, Spring 2018.

PLAY DATE IN THE STREETS & THE SCHOOL YARD

With most indoor activities still off limits, and many summer camps cancelled, how can we transform the streets so that Newburgh’s youth (39% of the population is under the age of 20) and adults can safely play, learn, socialize and have fun together apart?

Medeiros19.jpg

What public infrastructure, play equipment or activities are needed to activate play streets and bring ‘play’ safely outdoors? Given that many indoor recreational activities and sports will continue to be prohibited for some time, potentially into the school year, are there ideas that might be multi-seasonal and can be moved to the school yard? What games and activities promote health, play and learning for all ages?

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

  • Inclusive and equitable designs that benefit all of Newburgh

  • Provide space for people to maintain safe “physical distancing”

  • Low-cost and temporary designs that can be executed quickly and are easy to maintain will be given priority (estimated design/build costs should not exceed $2,000)

  • Moveable designs that can be used in different locations such as school yards, church yards or parks beyond the timeframe of the Rolling Slow Streets programming this summer?

  • Design that incorporates shade or other ideas for cooling during the summer

TIMELINE & AWARDS

Anyone can apply!

Up to five winning entries will be chosen and awarded a design/build stipend of up to $2,000 to develop their idea further for implementation. One such award will be given to a young designer under 18. The competition organizers will match winning entries with a local partner to implement their designs and will offer an additional material plus labor stipend upon completion. Chosen entries must comply with the City of Newburgh’s rules and regulations. All winners and honorable mentions will be featured in the @designforsixfeet Instagram feed. For questions, email@designforsixfeet.org. All answers to questions will be posted here.

We’re working fast to help Newburgh begin to play again. Here is the timeline:

  • July 21, 2020 – Ideas Competition announced

  • July 25, 2020 – FAQ posted

  • August 3, 2020 – Deadline for proposals

  • August 10, 2020 – Selected concepts announced (Update: Due to the number of proposals received we will now be announcing selected concepts on August 17, 2020)

  • August - September, 2020 – Implementation

SELECTION COMMITTEE

List in formation.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR IDEAS

Click HERE to submit online.

In order to submit, here are the materials to prepare:

  • Name of designer/design team members & contact information

  • Title of submission

  • 3-5 images

  • 150-word description of your idea

  • Your Instagram account, if you have one

Questions? Please contact us at email@designforsixfeet.org

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Do the design submissions need to transform an entire street or block?

A. The design proposals don't necessarily have to transform an entire street or block. They can be smaller elements that can either stand on their own and/or be combined with other selected design elements. 

Q. Where does furniture / other built items go at night, does it need to be stored somewhere or does it stay out?

A. Each winning design proposal will be matched with a Newburgh community organization who will store and maintain the street furniture. Indoor storage will be available for the furniture and other built items. We are encouraging the designs to be moveable so that they can easily go from street to storage. 

HELPFUL RESOURCES