Outside// resumed and revitalized its programming this year, bringing food trucks, outdoor seating, musical performances, fitness classes, dog petting and adoption, public art displays, games and book carts to patients, students, and visitors from May to October. During this season, Block-by-Block managed Outside//’s day-to-day operations which provided better tracking capabilities from Big Belly maintenance requests to foot traffic at placemaking sites.

All of this would not have been possible without the behind the scenes work of our Outside// Program ambassadors, who brought cheerfulness and some relaxation to Longwood’s many outdoor spaces over the summer. Karim (site manager), Hannibal, Eric and Martin were the reason this program was able to run smoothly every day. You may have seen them wrangling puppies, setting up music, cleaning tables and chairs, keeping track of program equipment, and welcoming people to food trucks.

Longwood Collective thanks the institutions who opened their sidewalks and plazas to new possibilities, including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. And a thank you to our partners who helped make Outside// the best it could be, Of An Oak, Shultz’s Guest House, Wyss Institute, More Than Words, Chicken and Rice Guys and Gourmet. Thank you for bringing needed moments of calm and play to our community.