An Open Streets Family Reunion: Reflections from the 2018 Open Streets Summit

By Ryan O’Connor, Director of Programs, 8 80 Cities Recently 8 80 Cities wrote a blog post about open streets being a labour of love. That being the case, the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans felt like a family reunion of sorts. It was rejuvenating to see old and new friends who share our passion for open streets and are working tirelessly to create healthier, happier, and more connected communities across the world. The event, which took place on September 15-16, brought together more than 50 leaders who currently organize open streets programs or are interested in bringing the...

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Open Streets Summit Draft Agenda

We hope you are getting ready and feel excited about the Open Streets Summit in Gretna/New Orleans! Taking place from September 15-16, 2018, the Summit will feature tours, presentations and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Attendees will learn about the nuts and bolts of starting or scaling up open streets programs, including: Route design and planning Partnerships with business and officials Social inclusion Safety and logistics Marketing and promotion Program evaluation through measurable goals and metrics If you haven’t done it yet, click here to register for the Open Streets Summit only or...

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Open Streets Summit Speakers Announced!

The Open Streets Project is proud to announce that Ed Solis from Viva Calle (San Jose, CA), Romel Pascual from CicLAvia (Los Angeles, CA), Jaymie Santiago and Charles Brown from New Brunswick Ciclovia will join us as speakers for the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans and Gretna! Taking place from September 15-16 2018, the Summit will feature: Behind the scenes tour of the City of Gretna’s inaugural open streets program. Workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Training and inspiration for both -novice and experienced- open streets organizers and supporters...

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A Night To Remember

On the evening of April 23rd, 700 partners, colleagues and allies gathered to officially mark LISC's 40th anniversary at a gala celebration in New York City. Special guests and speakers included New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, former Vice President Walter Mondale, former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros, and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Mathews Burwell. And of course, our 20-year board chair, former US Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin, the evening's distinguished honoree. 

The Power of Partnerships

From the unprecedented $1.5 billion we invested last year in people and communities across the country, to our burgeoning collaborations with sectors ranging from tech and healthcare to sports and local government, the LISC 2018 Annual Report is chock full of good news, good numbers, and good ideas. These resources and strategies propel us on our journey to shape a brighter future for all our nation's residents. And that, in a nutshell, is the heart of LISC's mission. Read on!

In Forbes, Props for LISC’s Work With ESPN & Under Armour to Make Space for Play

An in-depth article in Forbes looks at how ESPN is putting its weight behind programs to boost sports and play in under-resourced places, and calls out LISC’s innovative RePlay partnership with ESPN and Under Armour. Since the collaboration began, we’ve helped 12 community organizations and schools revitalize play spaces and other facilities that promote physical and emotional wellbeing for hundreds of young people in Baltimore neighborhoods with high rates of poverty.