World Car Free Day 22nd Sept - street party / play street in East Dulwich?

[bels123]

World Car Free Day is on Sunday 22nd September. I notice that Southwark Council is encouraging residents to hold play streets or street parties that weekend, a great opportunity to meet neighbours and socialise. Application details - https://www.southwark.gov.uk/events-culture-and-heritage/events/planning-an-event/car-free-day-2024?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Orlo

 

 

[first mate]

I don't get it. Encouraging kids to play in the streets and at the same time shut off sections of the park through weeks of summer so kids cannot use it. 

[malumbu]

Nice article from Living Streets, not just about Car Free Day (which I first came across when living in Cheshire decades ago) but getting people out on their feet

https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/get-involved/world-car-free-day/

Worth looking a the initiative in isolation rather than using it as a stick to bash Southwark Council and others with.  I'd do car free days monthly as some cities do overseas.  Enjoy. 

[Sue]

17 hours ago, bels123 said:

World Car Free Day is on Sunday 22nd September. I notice that Southwark Council is encouraging residents to hold play streets or street parties that weekend, a great opportunity to meet neighbours and socialise. Application details - https://www.southwark.gov.uk/events-culture-and-heritage/events/planning-an-event/car-free-day-2024?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Orlo

Having been involved in running street parties locally in the past, I would warn you that it's a lot of hard work!

And when some of the organisers moved away, nobody else appeared to be willing to help.

Though I expect it's easier in these days of What'sApp groups etc.

Edited August 14, 2024 by Joe
Fixed formatting

[jazzer]

Gardens are for playing in, not in the road.

[first mate]

Should this be in the traffic section or even the lounge? It is not ED specific, people in ED are invited to do it but nothing happening as yet, and the aim is to proselytise about reducing cars?

[Jules-and-Boo]

Such a great idea!!

We do like a little get together and definitely welcome a car free day

[Earl Aelfheah]

The responses! Heaven forbid that people should wish to have some fun, meet their neighbours and create a sense of community for one day.  🙄

[Sue]

42 minutes ago, Earl Aelfheah said:

The responses! Heaven forbid that people should wish to have some fun, meet their neighbours and create a sense of community for one day.  🙄

So are you going to step forward and organise a street party in your street?

To save you looking at the link in the  OP's post, I've attached a screenshot of some of what is required.

 

Edited August 14, 2024 by Sue

[Earl Aelfheah]

It's not about whether or not I wish to organise a street party (although we did help organise a regular 'play out day' on our street when our children were a bit younger). If others wish to do so, then good on them.

Edited August 14, 2024 by Earl Aelfheah

[Dogkennelhillbilly]

3 hours ago, jazzer said:

Gardens are for playing in, not in the road.

If you've got a garden that's big enough to host a party for your whole street, then a) congratulations and b) can I be invited too?

[first mate]

 

Quote

 

"Such a great idea!!

We do like a little get together and definitely welcome a car free day."

 

 

 

If it's only a little get together then a back garden should be ample space. If larger then here's a novel idea, why not meet up with neighbours and chums in one of our local parks. If tarmac really is your preferred substrate for socialising, then there is always good ole Dulwich Square!

 

 

[Insuflo]

Tarmac is not a substrate; it is a surface.

[jazzer]

1 hour ago, Dogkennelhillbilly said:

If you've got a garden that's big enough to host a party for your whole street, then a) congratulations and b) can I be invited too?

Or go play in the park, but please don't play in the road

[first mate]

1 hour ago, Insuflo said:

Tarmac is not a substrate; it is a surface.

But surely you don't need a tarmac surface to facilitate your socials with neighbours and mates? This smacks more of disruption than friendly celebration.

[Earl Aelfheah]

15 hours ago, first mate said:

But surely you don't need a tarmac surface to facilitate your socials with neighbours and mates? This smacks more of disruption than friendly celebration.

It's just one day. An opportunity for neighbours (some of who may not know each other) to get together, and for kids to play outside on their street in safety. How much inconvenience is it really causing? You may have to slow your car a little to navigate through a street closure? It seems there are some people who just want kids inside / out the way and are obsessed with the 'right' of cars to dominate almost all of our public spaces at all times (which they already do). This is the mildest possible attempt to try and rebalance street use towards people, and to spread a bit of community spirit for maybe a few hours on a single day of the year. 

Edited August 15, 2024 by Earl Aelfheah

[Dogkennelhillbilly]

17 hours ago, first mate said:

This smacks more of disruption than friendly celebration.

If people on a street decide to organise a little street party, they're not doing it to disrupt their neighbours. If they don't decide to do it, there's no disruption to worry about.

[first mate]

2 hours ago, Earl Aelfheah said:

It's just one day. An opportunity for neighbours (some of who may not know each other) to get together, and for kids to play outside on their street in safety. How much inconvenience is it really causing? You may have to slow your car a little to navigate through a street closure? It seems there are some people who just want kids inside / out the way and are obsessed with the 'right' of cars to dominate almost all of our public spaces at all times (which they already do). This is the mildest possible attempt to try and rebalance street use towards people, and to spread a bit of community spirit for maybe a few hours on a single day of the year. 

Come on Earl, it is about making a point and you know it. There are many more suitable places to meet your neighbours and for kids to play and you know that too. Quite apart from that, I regularly say hello to my neighbours when I see them in the street (we have pavements). Funnily enough, cars don't seem to impede those interactions in any way. 

2 hours ago, Earl Aelfheah said:

You may have to slow your car a little to navigate through a street closure?

 My understanding is the road is closed to cars so I doubt anyone would be navigating through at any speed, so a pretty redundant comment and point.

Edited August 15, 2024 by first mate

[Dogkennelhillbilly]

Cheer up, it's National Wet Blanket Day the week after.

[Jules-and-Boo]

There are lots of places to meet our friends - however, a street party - on the road where you live - is very different.

People who wouldn't normally come out, do and being able to recognise your neighbours at the very least is a great thing. Lots of streets now are more social, with WhatsApp groups and it feels much more like a community, which is precious.

Some of my neighbours wouldn't be able to walk as far as the park but are able to get to their front garden and have people to talk to.

It is a lot to organise, but it's worth it. 

You go to the Park, Frist Mate - we'll be putting up bunting, making cakes, setting up music and story telling tents

[first mate]

No need to try and tempt me to the park; I go regularly.

As for the street party rationale, many houses round here have gardens; blocks of flats have communal gardens, and neighbours pop round all year round, or they say hello in the street or at shops. Neighbours that are not so social tend to avoid street parties like the plague, in my experience anyway. 

I have been to street parties and they are pleasant enough but do I want to encourage the idea of kids playing in the street- no, especially when we are blessed with so much green space. Don't you find it even slightly odd and contradictory that Southwark want us to free up tarmac roads for kids to play on, while at the same time they want to give up green park space for private hire?

[Jules-and-Boo]

I think you're reading too much into it

 

[first mate]

Into which bit? Surely not the Southwark Council agenda to monetise parks while they try to offset that by 'greening' tarmac?

[Dulwich dweller]

3 hours ago, first mate said:

I have been to street parties and they are pleasant enough but do I want to encourage the idea of kids playing in the street- no,

Did you not play in the street as a kid? It's a one off annual event. It's hardly going to give kids a habit. Who are you  anyway? What with Gala and now trying to imply things that many others won;t agree with. What do you mean by - but do I want to encourage the idea of kids playing in the street- no ? For one they're not your kids, mush and secondly what makes you think you'll be encouraging anyone?  We had the event last year and it was a success for both kids and parents/ neighbours. Even if i put my hand up and admit to feeling a bit nostalgic at the time. I presume you only live on one road so stick to encouraging the families and kids on YOUR road to come to your way of thinking and stop trying to piss on other peoples chips when it's none of your bloody business.

Edited August 15, 2024 by Dulwich dweller
spelling again

[first mate]

In regard to Gala, no implication, Cllr rose has stated she wants to increase events in our parks, so probably not just Gala if she has her way, more the Brockwell Park model and you probably know what many local residents feel about that. If you don't believe me then go back and listen to the Council scrutiny sessions.

As for the unnecessary tone on your part (mush); the forum supports difference of opinion and I will continue to state my views, including on this.