Opinion: The Albemarle Street closure brought neighbors together. Let’s recreate the sense of safety and community on more streets. | Forest Hills Connection | News and Life in Our DC Neighborhood

Opinion: The Albemarle Street Closure United Neighbors

For the past 14 months, my block of Albemarle Street has been closed to vehicle traffic. While this change has caused some inconvenience for others in the neighborhood, those of us living on Albemarle have discovered a wonderful new way of life, and we want to share this experience.

Rediscovering Community and Safety

Before the closure, it was hard to tell children lived nearby. Now, we know there are over 15 kids just on our street. Parents with young children have finally been able to offer them the independence many of us enjoyed growing up.

Each evening, you can find children biking and scootering along the closed block, often well after dark under the streetlights. Kids safely walk to neighbors' houses alone, ring doorbells, and invite friends to play outside.

“The best part of the street being closed is that I did not even know kids lived on this block and now I know all of them,” said Ellen Harrington, age 8. “We play in the street and it’s so fun.”

Parents Reconnect Amid Changing Times

Parents have also enjoyed this new community sense. Many had children just before or during the pandemic and, deprived of the usual social connections, found themselves raising kids mostly in isolation.

The street closure has allowed families to reconnect and support one another, nurturing a safer and friendlier environment for children to grow up in.

Author’s Summary

The Albemarle Street closure transformed our block into a vibrant, safe community where children freely play and neighbors reconnect, offering a model for improving more streets.

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Forest Hills Connection Forest Hills Connection — 2025-11-04

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