City of waterloo neighbourhoods: strong and connected.

Get involved

Artists in Neighbourhoods program!

This new program supports community art throughout City of Waterloo neighbourhoods. Groups of two or more neighbours and/or artists are invited to apply for up to $5,000 per project. 


Community art is about connecting neighbours and artists together to create something awesome in the neighbourhood. Projects can include group performances, a collection of poems or a visual art piece creativity is encouraged!

4 people sitting outside playing drums with text on top reading get funding for a community art project
Learn more and apply

Recreation program survey

Tell us your thoughts about City recreation and leisure programs whether you participate in them or not! City staff are trying to learn more about why people may or may not participate in programs, how and when they would like to see programs offered and overall what we can do to make our programs more welcoming and inclusive for everyone.


Take recreation program survey.

More ways to get involved


  • The Seniors Community Grant Program supports local, not-for-profit community organizations, Indigenous groups and municipalities to deliver programs and learning opportunities for Ontarians ages 55 and up. Apply by March 6.



  • Grade 5 to 12 students are invited to apply for the Youth Creativity Fund for microgrants of up to $1,000 to pursue a creative learning project.



Get inspired

See what's happening across Waterloo and find inspiration to make your neighbourhood a little more awesome. We can support your idea with things like grants and equipment. Interested? Just hit reply to this email.

Winterfest in Vista Hills

With yummy snacks, warm drinks, outdoor games and skating, neighbours in Vista Hills connected to enjoy all the winter essentials at their Winterfest event. Thank you to the Vista Hills Community Association for planning such a cool event!


Photo credit: @vistahillscommunity on Instagram.

Groups of people in park during winter with an outdoor skating rink

Fort-ifying connections

Building forts and connections! Last year, neighbours from the Mary Allen neighbourhood used a mini-grant to purchase equipment for neighbours to share and build snow forts in their local park. 'Snow' awesome!


Have a great idea to bring neighbours together? Reach out to neighbourhoods@waterloo.ca with your idea.

Collage of various snow sculptures including a snowman and snow fort

Neighbour shoutouts!

Person with snowblower, text on top reads spotted neighbourhood kindness

A neighbour shares:

"Bob and Suzie have been fantastic neighbours to us and also to the street. Without fail, Bob can always be found, after every snowfall, to be outside clearing not only his own property but also the driveways, sidewalks and even cars of his neighbours. Not only does he do this on the coldest days, days when most people half his age would prefer to stay indoors, he does it all completely on his own. Last year, when his snowblower was damaged by a newspaper buried in the snow while he was clearing driveway not his own, they were willing to take on the full cost themselves rather than ask for help from anyone. Suzie is always a friendly face when we're out and a lovely shoulder of support when needed this past year. Our street is absolutely lucky to have them. They are always eager to help when needed and a true benefit to the neighbourhood and they should be recognized for their contributions to the community."


Is there someone doing awesome near you?

We want to recognize people who do great things, big or small, in their neighbourhood. Nominations will be accepted year-round, and every nominee will receive a thank you package.

Submit a nomination

Get in the know

Rock this Town!

This weekend, check out two rockin' events hosted by the museum:


  • Saturday February 25: Rockin’ Saturday: Stop by the museum to enjoy the Rock this Town Music and Memories between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. There is something for the whole family.


  • Sunday February 26: Screening of Rock This Town KW: Take a walk down memory lane or explore the stories for the first time as we dive into the 60s and 70s music scene. Plus a Q&A will follow with producer Better Anne Keller and author/radio host Coral Andrews. Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite.
Rock this town

Enter to be a Councillor for a day!

Gr.5 students are invited to tell us their one idea to make Waterloo an even better place to live. Eight winners will be selected to serve as Council For a Day and will get to spend the day with Mayor McCabe!


Apply by March 24, 2023.


Learn more about Council for a Day.

Attention gr.5 students! Tell us your one idea to make waterloo an even better place to live.

Attend the 2023 Minor Sport Registration and Try It Event

The 2023 Minor Sports Registration and Try It event is happening on Saturday, February 25 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at the RIM Park Field House. Email office@wmgsa.ca for information.


A list of participating organizations is included below:



  • Waterloo Minor Girls Softball Association
  • KW Minor Boys Softball
  • Waterloo Minor Soccer Club
  • Waterloo Ringette Association
  • KW Field Hockey

More things to know!



  • The Tamarack Institute has published a list of Black History month resources to acknowledge the contributions of people of African descent and to deepen learnings about Anti-Black racism. 


  • Anishnabeg Outreach is offering free virtual beading classes (with materials provided) to all self-identifying First Nations, Inuit and Métis community members. There is a class on February 28 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.





February Multicultural Calendar

February 1-7: White Cane Week

February 1-7: World Interfaith Harmony Week

February 1: World Hijab Day

February 2: Groundhog Day

February 4: World Cancer Day

February 5: Lantern Festival

February 5: Thaipusam

February 6: International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

February 11: International Day of Women and Girls in Science

February 13: World Radio Day

February 14: Valentine’s Day

February 15: National Flag of Canada Day

February 15: Parinirvana / Nirvana Day

February 18: Maha Shivaratri

February 18: Lailat al Miraj

February 20: World Day of Social Justice

February 20: Family Day

February 20: Islander Day

February 20: Louis Riel Day

February 20: Nova Scotia Heritage Day

February 21: International Mother Language Day

February 21: Losar (Tibetan New Year)

February 22: Pink Shirt Day

February 22: Ash Wednesday

February 22 – April 8: Lent (Western)

February 27 – April 2: Great Lent, or the Great Fast (Orthodox / Eastern)


Source: Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion

Thank you for reading this edition of Neighbours helping Neighbours, a newsletter from the neighbourhoods team, with a focus on good news stories, important community updates, and local resources.


If you have ideas for resources to share or shareable stories of kindness, please send them to: neighbourhoods@waterloo.ca

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Waterloo Neighbourhoods is published throughout the year to keep residents informed about the good things happening in neighbourhoods across Waterloo. If you have any questions or comments, please call 519-747-8515 or email communications@waterloo.ca. If you’re reading Waterloo Neighbourhoods as a non-subscriber, visit our subscription page to sign up for future editions.

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