City of waterloo neighbourhoods: strong and connected.

Keep your neighbourhood green, inside and out!

Going green can be a neighbourhood activity! Here are three fun and easy ways to bring your neighbourhood together while making a difference for the environment

Plan a 'buy nothing' day. Host a swap event to share items like books, puzzles, games, or household items with neighbours, giving them a new home right in your neighbourhood.
Transportation challenge. For one week, challenge everyone to walk, bike, carpool, or take public transit instead of driving.
Neighbourhood cleanup. Gather your neighbours and clean up your neighbourhood park - we can help with supplies through the Partner in Parks program!

Get involved

Spread kindness in your neighbourhood

lawn mower cutting grass with next that says spotted neighbourhood kindness

Someone nominated a few kind neighbours with a thoughtful comment to share about them:

"These neighbours make our area a more connected and wonderful place to live. They get to know all their neighbours and really care about the people who live here. They strike a great balance between unobtrusive observation and kind helpfulness.

They always take time for a friendly greeting, keep their property looking beautiful, constantly step up to help neighbours in need, and organize a monthly book club! Thank you for making our part of Waterloo so much more wonderful."

Nominate a kind neighbour in your neighbourhood for the Neighbourhood Kindness Award. We'll send them a thank-you package, and they will be entered for a chance to win a $20 Uptown BIA gift card!

More ways to get involved

Roll up your sleeves and join a community planting event this fall. It's an easy way to care for your neighbourhood parks and green spaces, connect with neighbours and help create a greener community for everyone.
We want to learn about your experiences and ideas on how we can support older adults in the neighbourhood and across Waterloo. Share your thoughts in the Age-friendly Action Plan survey.
Help us welcome new students to the neighbourhood! We are looking for event helpers at Waterloofest.

3 people riding bikes through a trail, phtographed from behind

Smile Corner

A neighbour shared that they always smile during their bike ride on a neighbourhood trail.

Submit a photo and a caption by replying to this email, and we may feature it in the Smile Corner of our next newsletter!

Get inspired

Neighbourhood talent show

The Erb West neighbourhood hosted an amazing youth-led talent show.

Neighbours came together to share their talents, cheer each other on and enjoy an afternoon full of fun and laughter.

A collage of 4 images with one person singing, another with a craft, another standing outside and the last of a sign saying talent show.

Inspired to do something similar? We have lots of resources to help you get started planning your own neighbourhood event.

Explore event ideas to get inspired.
Discover our gathering spaces map to find a location to fit your idea.
Learn about the funding opportunities available to you.
Reach out to the Neighbourhoods team any time for support

Get in the know

The ActiveWaterloo Guide is now available!

There are plenty of activities to enjoy with your neighbours.

Registration dates:

Active living – now open
CARL fall/winter adult sport leagues – now open
Aquatics/leadership – September 8

Fee assistance is available.

Fall 2026 guide activewaterloo, image of a girl smiling and playing with colourful blocks.

More things to know

Sept 19: There will be over 30 installations featuring local and international artists at the Lumen Festival this year! Invite a neighbour to join you, or volunteer for the event together!
Get your ideas ready! The next Neighbourhood Fund deadline is October 14 at 2 p.m. Use inspiration from this newsletter to organize an activity with your neighbours.
At the City of Waterloo Museum's Iron Willed exhibit, explore a dynamic timeline of innovation starting from Canada's first female PhD graduate to today's tech leaders. Admission is always free - ask a neighbour to join you!
Learn more about reporting Hate Incidents or Discrimination: involving Islamophobia, Racism, Anti-Immigrant Sentiment and religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.

August diversity calendar

Source: Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion's Diversity Ink Newsletter

August 1 - August 7: World Breastfeeding Week

August 13 - August 15: Obon

August 17 - August 21: Public Service Pride Week

August 1: Emancipation Day

August 1: Lammas / Lughnasadh / Lugnasad

August 3: Civic Holiday

August 9: International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

August 12: International Youth Day

August 15: National Acadian Day

August 17: Discovery Day

August 19: World Humanitarian Day

August 23: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

August 25: Mawlid al-Nabī / Eid-Maulad-un-Nabi

August 26: Onam

August 28: Raksha Bandhan

August 31: International Overdose Awareness Day

Waterloo Neighbourhoods is published throughout the year to keep residents informed about the good things happening in neighbourhoods across Waterloo. If you’re reading Waterloo Neighbourhoods as a non-subscriber, visit our subscription page to sign up for future editions.

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