Nothing promotes community more than a block party! It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet the neighbors, share recipes, and form lasting friendships. Below is information about how to prepare for your Block Party:

Let's Get This Block Party Started!

By Gavin Cornwell, ECA Board Member

Published in the May-June 2022 Eastown Access Newsletter

As we look toward the beginning of summer with lower levels of COVID risk and more opportunities to reconnect with friends and neighbors, now is the ideal time to get together with your neighbors and plan a block party! Whether your block has hosted one in the past or not, planning early is one of the best ways to have a successful party to celebrate with your community.

Though there are some rules that need to be followed, it’s up to your neighbors to figure out how to best share your block’s personality. Eastown block parties have featured chalk-art contests, chili cook-offs, pot-lucks, and talent shows. Though the city only requires seven business days before the party to process the application, the sooner a date is selected and people can start planning, the better.

Shutting down the street for a day can be an inconvenience, so the city requires written permission from more than half of the households on your block. Though you can bring a paper copy into the office, things will go much more smoothly if you have a neat copy of the addresses and signatures scanned and ready to submit online.

Be aware, block parties are permitted on minor streets only, and cannot stretch more than one block. If you need to check, you can call the city and they can help.

As you submit your application, you’ll be asked to confirm some simple details. What street is to be closed, what time the party will be done, that the noise level will be reasonable, and that the street will be cleared in case emergency vehicles need access. There is a $20 application fee that can be paid as the application is finalized, and the city will follow up with any issues or questions they have.

For the online application and more specific requirements, visit the following link: https://bit.ly/GRBlockParty

With COVID having disconnected many of us from our friends and neighbors for extended periods of time, block parties are a great way to reconnect with old and new neighbors alike!