A young boy helps paint a mural at North Battleford's 2019 block party kickoff. (Tyler Marr/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Tyler Marr

COMING TOGETHER

City hosts kickoff block party

May 16, 2019 | 8:08 PM

Music rang out in Central Park while children picked up brushes and meticulously stroked paint on a large mural.

Others milled about the park and along 101 St. as North Battleford kicked off the 2019 block party season.

It is one of five the city plans to host in an effort to spur residents to embark on their own community gatherings. Later parties will occur at St. Mary’s school on May 23, Connaught school on May 30, Kinsmen Park on June 6 and in Riverview on June 13.

For 2019, 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.

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Block parties were born out of the CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environment Design) committee, under the premise that the safest streets are ones where neighbours know and talk to each other.

“We wanted to encourage that through block parties, through neighbours getting together and we are doing this to set an example and have one of our own,” Mayor Ryan Bater said. “We really hope people living in North Battleford start talking to their neighbours and organize one of their own on their own street.”

Zayda performs at the 2019 block party kickoff in North Battleford. (Tyler Marr/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Bater said a block party was hosted on his street a few years ago and many people exchanged phone numbers to alert each other when they are away.

The mayor hopes 2019 sees a record number of block parties pop up around the city.

The events can be a simple gathering in a backyard or park, to a full-blown cordoned off street.

Interested hosts simply call the city or attain an application online.

—

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr