In a North Philadelphia neighborhood with no public parks, resident Cesar Viveros has created a communal space from nothing. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, Cesar saw developers dumping their trash in the vacant lots across the street from him. One day, as the weather got warmer, he brought his painting supplies to the lot and used it as an office. Passersby asked if they could join him. Using the space became a daily ritual for a small group.

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Eventually, those who frequented the space began to plant crops, create sculptures, and even build a barbacoa pit.

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Now, 1900 N. Lawrence st. has become a full-fledged community hub, regularly hosting mesoamerican cultural events such as barbacoa, pottery workshops, quinceaneras, and more.