Coolest Block in the Lower East Side: A Community Contest for Greener Streets

The Lower East Side Ecology Center (LES Ecology Center) Coolest Block in the Lower East Side contest is entering its 2nd year! The contest  brings together neighbors to care for street trees in the East Village, Lower East Side, and Chinatown neighborhoods. 

How It Works

Community members and youth compete for the title of Coolest Block in the Lower East Side. Youth compete from April-May and residents compete from mid June-mid September. 

All participants will complete street tree care activities such as soil cultivation, mulching, watering, and general cleanup, on 3-5 trees. Participants are also welcome to showcase creativity and community spirit by gardening in their tree beds and installing creative tree bed signs. 

There are two contest categories:

Awards will be given in two categories:

• Coolest Block in the Lower East Side
• Coolest Youth Stewarded Block in the Lower East Side

Select community category blocks will also be given the following recognitions: 

• Busy Bee Award – Highlighting a group with the highest and/or most consistent tree care efforts
• Pollinator Power Award – Highlighting the use of locally evolved, pollinator-friendly plantings  in tree beds
• Green Bean Award – Highlighting a first time contestant
• Sapling Award – Highlighting work on younger, more vulnerable trees
• Canopy Award – Highlighting work to engage neighbors & community 

Contest Highlights

• Workshops & Resources: Participants will have access to street tree care workshops, a tool lending library, and technical assistance from LES Ecology Center staff.
  • Membership for our tool lending library can be found here. 
• Judging Criteria: Blocks will be evaluated based on tree care , creativity, and community engagement.
• Prizes:
  • Community Categories:
    • Coolest Block in the Lower East Side: Commemorative tree bed sign, bulbs, and gardening gloves embroidered with group name
    • Recognitions: 
      • Commemorative tree bed sign 
  • Youth Category:
    • Coolest Youth Stewarded Block : Commemorative tree bed sign, bulbs, and S’Mac Mac & Cheese party (1st Place) or Ice Cream Party (2nd & 3rd Places) 

NOTE: In order to be eligible to participate, you must live in the East Village, Lower East Side, or Chinatown.

Timeline & Key Events

March 2026:

• March 10th: Registration Opens – Sign up for:
  • Youth Registration 
  • Community Registration 
• March 11th – Tool Lending Library Info Session – Learn more about our free Tool Lending Library – Register here. 
• March 17th – Coolest Block in the Lower East Side Kick-Off Event  – Learn about the contest, connect with tree lovers, and make your own street tree sign! Register here. 
• March 22nd –  Tool Lending Library Reopens
• March 22nd – Spring into Tree Care Workshop – Learn how to take care of street trees. Register here. 
• March 31st – Signs of Spring: Flowering Trees of NYC – Register Here

April 2026:

• Spring into Street Tree Care Workshop Series 

May 2025:

• May 1st – Youth Stewarded Category Registration Deadline
• Block Walks – One-on-one chats and assistance from LES Ecology Center staff for Youth Category contestants

June 2026: 

• ‘Youth Stewarded’ category judging
• June 15th – Residential Category Registration Deadline

July-August 2026:

• Block Walks – Continued support from LES Ecology Center staff.

September 2026:

• Residential Category Judging 

October 2026: 

•  October 1st – Winners awarded at Fall Social 
• Coolest Block in the Lower East Side Celebration 

If you have any questions, please reach out to info@lesecologycenter.org. Stay updated by following LES Ecology Center on social media @lesecologyctr.

Let’s make the Lower East Side the coolest—and greenest—neighborhood in NYC!

Why This Matters

The contest addresses a critical need for increasing urban tree canopy in the Lower East Side. Recent data highlights a dramatic reduction in tree coverage due to city projects, leaving the neighborhood with just 21% urban tree canopy—significantly below the citywide average of 44%. By promoting community stewardship, this initiative aims to restore and expand green spaces in our neighborhood.