Neighbourhood Strategy gearing up

Testing our plans for community engagement

Our project team has been hard at work gearing up for our huge community engagement campaign this spring and summer. We look super serious in this photo, but we are actually having a lot of fun!

We're getting close to finalizing the types of questions we'll be asking as well as the strategies we'll use to reach both the highly involved and the less engaged across our neighbourhoods.

We'll be testing these questions and tactics in the coming weeks with Neighbourhood Association reps (February 18) and Community Partners (March 11) before publicly launching them on April 26 (ahem, that's a date you want to write down).

In the meantime, we've had quite a few people asking us really important questions about the Neighbourhood Strategy. You can check out our responses by reading our Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions. It clarifies why we're putting so much effort into a strategy without a burning crisis on our hands. Hint: it's because we see so much potential in amazing people like you to build great neighbourhoods!

Save the date for a HUGE party!

April 26

Neighbourhood Party
April 26, 2016, 5:00 - 8:30 PM (Location to be confirmed soon)

Who doesn't love a great party?! This event will officially launch our engagement campaign to develop the Neighbourhood Strategy. There will be music, games, hands-on activities, inspiring speakers, FREE FOOD and fun for the whole family! Not to mention the first of many opportunities to start providing your feedback on planning, building and supporting great neighbourhoods.

Get this date into your calendars right now!

Save this date too

June 11

2nd Annual Neighbours Day

Neighbours Day was such a huge success last year that it has become an annual event. This year's event will be held on June 11, 2016 in neighbourhoods across the city! Learn more here.

Neighbours Day is all about connecting with people in your neighbourhood, learning what's available around you and finding a variety of ways to celebrate the vibrant and diverse city we live in. If you're interested in hosting or contributing to a site, now is a great time to get in touch and share your ideas. Contact Brenda van de Keere today.

Let's colour!

These three amazing artists - Catherine Brennan, Lori Zenker and Julian van Mossel-Forrester - are using their creative talents to design Kitchener's very own adult colouring book. Colour my 'hood will feature tons of inspiring ideas to apply in your neighbourhood. Join us for the debut of these books at:

Beer and Colour my 'hood at THEMUSEUM on Wednesday, March 9, 7:00 - 9:00 PM. Get your tickets today!

You can also grab a free copy at the Kitchener Market, Kitchener Public Library, your local community centre or participating Little Libraries.

But what about the kiddos? Sure, we've got a book for them too. Show off your 'hood features fun and interactive colouring and activity pages with lots of cool ways to show off your neighbourhood pride. Select grades can expect to receive a copy at public and Catholic schools just before March break!

Oh, and did we mention both books are available for free download on our website after March 7?

#lovemyhood stories

"I've lived in Edgewater Estates since 2009. I love the location. We're right in the middle, close to Cambridge and Waterloo. I love that we have the Lackner Woods Plaza right nearby. It has a convenience store, a pizzeria, a bank and a dentist that we go to. We live close to parks which are great for the kids and they're building a new school right across the street, which we're very excited about." - Tina #lovemyhood

Have you been following along with our #lovemyhood stories? We've had some amazing people from all across the city share what makes their neighbourhood unique. Check out the facebook album to view these great examples of neighbourhood pride. The stories will run for several more weeks yet so be sure to follow City of Kitchener on facebook.

Huge thanks to volunteers Laura McBride and Cailyn Scott for the amazing photography!