Being a city parent, you often find yourself on the hunt for the cool, unique & new in the world of kid. Currently, play spaces is a huge find in my orbit. Its a sanctuary of sorts for those of us lacking yards or large living rooms, for that matter. These spaces become an outlet for our city dwelling birds to fly free, run wild, romp, play & simply, be a kid. It's a huge score-I mean BIG time- when you come across such a place! So, you can imagine, my delight when Lady Birds mama introduced me to It Takes a Village, a non-profit play space located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, where members get a key and all access pass to the large indoor "club house"for parents and babies under the age of 4 years. It Takes a Village is equipped with books & toys, a large backyard with a playground & garden. There will be lactation classes, yoga & music classes designed to keep little one's entertained, as well as massages for parents to keep them relaxed & chill...You're dying right...
Friends, meet Michael de Zayas, the brains behind the operation & creator of Neighborhoodies (which he has since sold), father to Zelda, travel writer & entrepreneur. After becoming a new parent to Zelda, now 15 months, Michael found great inspiration in fatherhood-starting a non-profit cleaning service for new parents in his Brooklyn neighborhood, Crown Heights, while organizing the Crown Heights Parenting Group, with over 100 members. In addition, Michael has also opened up a cafe, Little Zeldas (how fitting)-and all of this in a years time. Now, with Zelda once again the catalyst behind Michael's newest endeavor, he recently launched, It Takes a Village-opening it's doors this past weekend. "Ive been brainstorming hard on how to make the neighborhood as lovely as possible for my daughter Zelda" he said.
Without any further adieu here's Michael:
Bebe Birds: Hi Michael! Congratulations on It Takes A Village. How did this all transpire?
Michale de : One month ago. The idea popped into my head because there was a rental available on the best block along Franklin Avenue, and the land lord, Michael Kunitzky of LaunchPad is very altruistic and was looking for a non-profit to rent at a great price. It sort of bounded my thinking.
BB: How did it all came together?
M: I had started a non-profit cleaning service for new parents a year ago. The idea was to give someone a great, stable full time job and simultaneously create the terrific benefit for brand new moms and dads, which is a low cost cleaning service. I started that because when Zelda was born there was just no time for cleaning; our place was a wreck and being home was no fun. This solved it for me (and 60 other families who joined). Simultaenously, I strated the parents group in my neighborhood, Crown Heights. I talked to every parent with a baby I saw for six months-there were not a lot of us. We started meeting on Tuesdays at each others homes. This has been going on for a year now as well. Then, I opened a cafe, Little Zelda, and all the babies came to me. That is, parents would end up coming into the shop and now the group has over 100 people. So, the cleaning service and Crown Heights North Parents plugged me into the world of new parents here and surrounding neighborhoods (Prospect Heights, Fort Greene & Park Slope). I had this sense that there was a greater need and it revolved around nanny sharing, and play spaces and community. It was sort of percolating in my mind. And, when I saw the space on Franklin Avenue and thought of a great use for the space, it all came together in a flash: a clubhouse for parents, a play space for kids & a community space for new families.
BB: What kinds of things will parents and children find at It Takes a Village?
M: A library of books, classes, tons of toys, a huge backyard and great, friendly parents, babies and toddlers.
BB: Did you know of any space like this before hand or was this just based on a need you saw in the neighborhood?
M: The latter. To my knowledge there's never been anything like this before. I invented it out of what I know every new parent needs- a place to go, companionship and space outside of the house with toys and for their babies to roam and explore.
BB: What are you most proud since creating such a fun family friendly space for your neighbors & their families?
M: It has been a whirlwind of work to get this done and open. There hasn't really been any time for pride. Perhaps, when there is an It Takes a Village space open in every Brooklyn neighborhood I can take a rest. That will be really fun to see. You know, like, Fort Greene Village, Ditmas Park Village, Dumbo Village...
BB: What do your hope members take away with them after spending time in It Takes a Village?
I want them to think a different version of this every day: "That was awesome. I met the coolest other mom, and she understood what I was going through, and my baby played so well with the other baby and the class was great and I can't wait to come back tomorrow...."
It Takes A Village is currently $35 a month for membership. Visit them here to find out more information and scheduled classes. As every parents knows ,It Takes a Village to raise a child...and it also takes a village to keep that child happy and entertained!
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