Hour Children has worked in western Queens for decades supporting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated mothers and their children, running housing, a thrift shop and a food pantry out of the neighbourhood. Its block party is the public-facing version of that work: a street closed, families out, and a nonprofit that usually operates quietly meeting its neighbours. Free, and worth turning up to on the strength of who is running it.
What to expect
Expect the block barricaded, tables and activities along the roadway, food and games for children, and staff and families from the organisation mixed with the surrounding blocks. Long Island City's waterfront parks are a walk west if you want to extend the afternoon. Nothing is ticketed.
Good to know
- 12th Street near 36th Avenue in western Queens, served by local Q bus routes with subway stops a walk east.
- Free and open to the public — it is a permitted public event, so no ticket or RSVP is involved.
- Hosted by Hour Children, a long-running Queens nonprofit supporting incarcerated mothers and their families.
- The block closes to traffic for the afternoon.
- Flat and level once closed, easy with strollers.
- Socrates Sculpture Park and the LIC waterfront are a walk west.
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Common questions
Who is Hour Children?
A Queens nonprofit that supports incarcerated and formerly incarcerated mothers and their children.
Where is the block party?
On 12th Street near 36th Avenue in Long Island City.
Is there a charge?
No — block parties are free, permitted street events open to anyone who walks up.
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