In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the streets of New York City were a vibrant playground for children. Amidst the city’s economic struggles, kids found creative ways to entertain themselves with whatever they could find. Fast forward to 2026, and cities like Glasgow are reviving the spirit of street play, but with a more organized approach. This transformation reflects broader changes in urban design, safety concerns, and societal shifts.
The photographer Martha Cooper captured the essence of this era in her series “Street Play,” now on display at the Bronx Documentary Center. Her photographs showcase children making the most of their surroundings, turning discarded materials into toys and games. From makeshift go-karts to improvised water games, these images offer a glimpse into a bygone era of urban childhood.
New York’s Improvised Playgrounds
Cooper’s work highlights the resourcefulness of children growing up in the Lower East Side during a time of economic hardship. Her photographs often feature kids playing with scrap wood, bottle caps, and other found objects. One notable image shows children playing with water in bottles, a simple yet imaginative game that reflects their creativity.
The streets were not just a place for play; they were a social hub where children from working families and recent immigrants could come together. Games like “shooting the pump”—controlling the flow of water from a roaring fire hydrant—were common on sweltering summer days. These activities fostered a sense of community and belonging among the city’s youth.
However, this way of life was fleeting. Cooper often found that the scenes she photographed would disappear within hours. The transient nature of these play spaces underscores the temporary and improvised nature of urban play during that era.
Glasgow’s Organized Play Streets
In contrast to the improvised play of 1970s New York, Glasgow is embracing a more structured approach to street play. The Glasgow City Council’s Street Play programmerun in partnership with Glasgow Life, temporarily closes roads to allow children to play safely outside. This initiative aims to strengthen community bonds and promote active play, social interaction, and outdoor fun.
Over 10 streets across Glasgow will be closed to vehicles over two weekends, providing a safe space for children to engage in various activities. Residents and not-for-profit organizations, including community groups, schools, and housing associations, can participate in this program. The closures are temporary, with normal traffic access resuming once the play sessions end.
The program is designed to encourage neighbors to come together and make the most of shared public space. By promoting active play and social interaction, the Street Play programme aims to create a more connected and vibrant community.
The Disappearance of Informal Outdoor Environments
The shift from improvised street play to organized play streets reflects broader changes in urban design and societal attitudes. The disappearance of informal outdoor environments has made unstructured outdoor childhood increasingly rare. Factors such as traffic, safety concerns, urban heat, and academic pressure have contributed to this trend.
Modern residential landscapes are often optimized for efficiency, security, and enclosure, leaving less room for spontaneous play. Play areas, while visually appealing, may function more as visual amenities than deeply inhabited social environments. This shift has led to a decline in the informal ownership of outdoor spaces, where children once freely moved and interacted.
However, initiatives like Glasgow’s Street Play programme demonstrate that communities can still come together to create safe and engaging play spaces. By temporarily closing roads and encouraging outdoor activities, these programs help revive the spirit of street play in a more organized and structured manner.
