2026 MAS/NYC + JANE’S WALK
Intentional Spacemaking: Public Space, Systems, and Us
Join us at the LeFrak Center in Prospect Park, Brooklyn to explore what it means to intentionally create public space for ourselves and our communities.
Intentional Spacemaking™
A multidisciplinary experience for those curious about how designers, policies, and people like you make public and 3rd space(s) in the world.
“I love that this takes place in the very space we discuss and learn about as a group - not only did this one introduce to me to a new space in NYC I didn’t know about before, but it taught me to see deeper, interesting layers than I otherwise would have and I’m excited to apply to other spaces I go in the future. I also loved how knowledgeable Valerie is and how generous she is with that knowledge. ”
The Oculus, NYC (photo credit: Bulent Doruk)
What it is…
Join us to explore and talk about what it means to create both physical and intangible space for ourselves and our communities. Our focus will be various public spaces (including 3rd spaces) around NYC.
Each meet up will be at a different public space where we will break down why it works or why it doesn’t via the Intentional Spacemaking™ lens (ie: container, activation, and caretaking perspectives).
We will look at these projects with a multidisciplinary focus and key partners in various industries. No space is absent of complicated systems integration!
We’ll end with a chat about how we can take what we’ve learned about public spacemaking and bring that into our daily lives to support ourselves and our communities.
Please come open and curious, ready to investigate both the environment we are in, the many systems that affect and intersect that environment, and how we each experience and create space in the world.
Domino Park, Brooklyn (photo credit: Bulent Doruk)
LeFrak Center Lakeside, Prospect Park, Brooklyn (photo credit: Bulent Doruk)
6-1/2 Avenue, New York City (photo credit: Bulent Doruk)
What attendees have said…
“This was a great group, a lovely location, and included robust discussion with other attendees. I would absolutely attend more of these in the future.”
“I am really interested in the topic and eager to see other spaces and discuss the topic further!”
“I learned so much this morning. I feel seeded, y’know... like a nearby garden’s seeds, or the farm next door’s seeds, were blown over my way. Much gratitude for offering these outings.”
“Thank you - it was great, educational, and relevant for my new job.”
“Great leader, organizer! It also draws an eclectic group of creatives that are drawn towards space & architecture but also care about community.”
“I loved every bit of it! I felt welcomed and despite being distracted most of the time by my little one who was with me, I had a really good time and learned a lot. ”
“I liked visiting a new place, connecting with like-minded people and, of course, I found the topic very interesting!”
“What a fascinating topic - I hadn’t thought in this way about space before!”
“Thanks for the great tour of Domino Park and the fabulous discussion.”
“I enjoyed the visit a lot…I liked that it sparked a lot of reflections within the group!”
“I had a great time!...I look forward to visiting other third spaces with you all.”
“Thanks again for hosting! Such good conversations!”
Some places we’ve been together…
The Inaugural Club Crew: Industry City (Sept 2025)
November Club Crew: Little Island! (photo credit: Nelson Luna)
January Club Crew: Winter Garden @ Brookfield Place
February Club Crew: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library
March Club Crew: the Oculus (photo credit: Bulent Doruk)
Aptil Club Crew: Domino Park (photo credit: Bulent Doruk)
May Club Crew: 6-1/2 Avenue w/ Brian Nesin (photo credit: Bulent Doruk)
June Club Crew: South Street Seaport w/ David Cunningham (photo credit: Bulent Doruk)
August Club Crew: Governor’s Island (photo credit: Bulent Doruk)
July Club Crew: 34th Ave Open Streets w/ Jim Burke (34th Avenue Open Street Coalition)
September 2025 Club Crew - 1-year anniversary! : LeFrak Center Lakeside Prospect Park (photo credit: Bulent Doruk)
December 2025 Crew w/ Jozef Koppleman : Industry City
Upcoming Dates + Spaces
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Intentional Spacemaking hosts a Municipal Arts Society of New York + Jane’s Walk event to explore the LeFrak Center and south east end of Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
The Beginning: Intentional Spacemaking x Creative Mornings
Back in 2024 , Creative Mornings started the Clubs programming and asked for applications from the community. I had a curiosity and, after some nudging, embraced the opportunity.
The Intentional Spacemaking club was created for non-design and multidisciplinary folks to explore public and 3rd spaces together across the city. Over the course of the year, it grew into a sweet community of curious and design-discerning friends.
As we evolve the structure of the events, we will continue to look at creating spaces with through container, activation, caretaking, and systems design awareness. For our Creative Mornings community, there will still be free Club gatherings 3x/year.
About your Host
Photo credit: Bulent Doruk
Hello! My name is Valerie Farber and I am a spacemaking nerd.
I’ve worked in the Architectural Industry as a designer + strategist for over 20 years and am wired to experience life through spatial containers, interactions, and connections - whether physical or intangible.
Spatial Medium helps people and organizations understand how to create and navigate space in order to support themselves, their goals and dreams, and their communities.
I believe this practice makes for a stronger and more caretaking society, fosters interdisciplinary and inclusive thinking, and creates collaborative momentum to design complex strategies for today’s most challenging social issues.
We look forward to exploring public space + building community with you!
Archive of Events
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What makes a library a good, functional, and welcoming public space?
This is what we will explore on February 22nd at the new-ish NY Public Library, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library on 5th Ave in NYC.
This extensive re-design of the 7-floor building has programming ranging from in-house cafes, meeting rooms, media booths, computer stations, traditional book stacks, gathering clusters, a cozy children’s space, and busy teen area.
My favorite? The collaborative puzzle table at the entry.
Come check it out for yourself and give us your thoughts!
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How does circulation between one point to another become a public space destination?
This is what we will explore in March at the Oculus in the Financial District, NYC.
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What does it mean to create space along an urban waterfront? And is this considered 3rd space?
Come share your thoughts as we investigate the new Domino Park!
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Privately-owned public space - does it work? Is it equitable? Or just a tax break?
Let’s find out by exploring the 6-1/2 Ave in midtown, NYC!
Via architectmagazine.com: “6 1/2 Avenue is the formal creation of the NYC Department of Transportation based on the advocacy of Friends of Privately Owned Public Spaces (F-POPS, as founded by Brian Nesin, David Grider, Graham Coreil-Allen, and Jordan Zimolka).
Our Arcade Parade drew attention to what we called Holly Whyte Way, a string of Midblock POPS that run from 51st to 57th st, and in working with the DOT and Community Board, we convinced the city to install crosswalks, stop signs, and a mid-block crosswalk at 57th Street to mark the path.
This new "road", dubbed 6 1/2 Avenue, was the first modification to the city grid in decades, and puts pedestrians first.”We will be joined by Brian Nesin, a founding member and integral participant in creating 6-1/2 Ave.
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Join us to experience time and space at what once was considered to be the financial “Wall Street” of its day.
We will be joined by Brooklyn Architect David Cunningham who worked on the rehabilitation of Historic Front Street w/ Cook + Fox Architects.
Our June location has a lot to unearth - see you there!
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What does it look like to prioritize community and public well-being in a dense, urban neighborhood?
Join us as as we explore Jackson Heights Open Streets alongside the founders of 34th Avenue Open Streets Coalition. Ann Margaret O’Connor will also share her expertise on creating livable streets as Public Space Programming Partner for NYC DOT.
Via PPS.org: …the latest vision for 34th Avenue takes the idea of an Open Street even further. While other Open Streets are evolving into “bike boulevards” or bike-priority lanes, car-free plazas, or “shared” streets with a pedestrian and cyclist focus, 34th Avenue Open Street is a step in a wholly different direction. It embeds the Open Street into its surroundings, making the street appear more like a linear park than, well, a street.
“It’s the first superblock in New York City,” says Council Member Shekar Krishnan, who represents the Jackson Heights area.
Link to article here.
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How do we experience art in public spaces? Can site and place be marked through creative expression? How does the element of landscape affect connection with others? Does art bring us together in shared experience?
Come explore these musings with us on Governor’s Island - bring water and comfortable shoes, please!
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1-YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!! Join us for a special Intentional Spacemaking Club gathering, marking 1-year of hosting events around the city!
LeFrak Center is a vibrant community space that honors local needs by design.
Come on out and celebrate with us!
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