Building safety, community through block parties

The city has waived every fee associated with planning the event, plus, Frazer’s No Frills has come on board, offering $200 food vouchers for every gathering.

While it may seem to be a daunting task, the process is extremely simple, and city staff are willing to walk with would-be block partiers every step of the way.

Those aspiring to embark on the simple and rewarding endeavour simply have to contact City Hall. For events where the street will need to be closed, a form requiring the signatures of two-thirds of residents is required. It also acts as an invitation.

Block parties can entail a wide array of events. Mackrell says past parties have come in the form of backyard barbecues, where no street closure permits are required, to more sophisticated events where street murals are painted or a handful of resists assemble a band and rock the night away. Others have organized potlucks, while some have collected $10 or $20 from each neighbour and purchased food and games.

And for those interested in hosting a block party in the depth of winter to ease the blues, the city has added the Credit Union Cuplex to the mix for bookings.

“Residents simply need to pick up the phone and call and book the CUplex for swimming or whatever they might need,” Mackrell explained.

Information is available online, but Mackrell said the city is willing to assist in organizing the event.

“Whatever you want it to be, it can turn into. You really just need to pick a day and get your neighbours signatures and bring that form back,” he explained.

Former hosts of block parties have admittedly held trepidation over undertaking the task, but Mackrell says after it is said and done, they can’t wait to host another.

“People maybe feel it is a bit of a daunting task as there is that social barrier that you have to get outside your bubble and knock on your neighbour’s door,” he said. “But it feels good when you do it.

He says knocking on a few doors or leaning over the fence and getting to know your neighbour will pay off in the end.

“It is not that hard it is just putting yourself out there and things fall into place quickly,” he added.

Community safety coordinator Herb Sutton said anecdotal feedback from previous block parties has been overwhelmingly positive. Many hosts or participants say they knew so-and-so lived down the street but did not realize how much they had in common.

This pays positive dividends in the long-term to address petty acts and crimes of opportunity.

“Once you get to know other people on the block you feel more comfortable if you drive down the street at 10:30 p.m. and notice someone’s garage door is open and the lights are off, making a phone call because you met them at the block party,” Sutton said. “ From a safety perspective, that is a potential crime that has been averted by a simple phone call. It is simple things that can come out of getting to know people.”

Further, he said imagine if a new family moved onto the street and a number of neighbours showed up to welcome them.

“It gives you that vehicle to continue to keep those relationships going and it creates a much more welcoming community,” he added.

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Building safety, community through block parties

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