Do you feel connected to the people in your community? Does your town offer public spaces for people to meet and hang out? Do you wish it had more?

In “Stoops for New York’s Open Streets,” Winnie Hu writes about New York City’s bold plan to create more public spaces and deepen community bonds:

Students, scroll through and read the entire article, then tell us:

• What is your reaction to the Open Streets program’s goal to create stoops for visitors “to sit and stay awhile”? Would you want your community to adopt a similar plan? Why or why not?

• “I think New Yorkers love stoops,” said David Rockwell, who devised the new stoops for the program. “It’s a place where you can observe the theater of everyday life.” Where do those in your community gather to hang out or people-watch? Do you have any memorable experiences in these places?

• Does your community have many public spaces? How inviting are they? Do you use them often?

• Now it’s your turn: Propose an idea — big or small, practical or wildly imaginative — to bring your community’s residents closer together!

Want more writing prompts? You can find all of our questions in our Student Opinion column. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate them into your classroom.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.