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Do you really have that phrase in your translation? Because that would present a cultural nuance to overcome.
Unless the geography of it is somehow vital to the story (seems unlikely), I would translate according to context. If the speaker is concerned for the kids' safety, then something like, "Make sure you don't go off the block." Etc. etc.
But if you don't have to tackle that phrase, using the closest English equivalent is the way to go. It might not be technically correct, but your only alternative is footnoting every single cultural nuance you cannot translate directly.
But I've seen most of it, and I've never seen a courtyard enclosed by apartment buildings on all sides a la Russian двор. Even if it does exist it will be lost on most readers who will most likely equate a yard to someone's private backyard.
"Yard" implies a partially enclosed playing space (such as might be found in a courtyard between apartment buildings), while "street" brings a city block to mind.
(Incidentally, there may be some East Coast/West Coast colloquial differences regarding what I just wrote....)