City of waterloo neighbourhoods: strong and connected.

Get involved

Become a Block Connector!

Block connectors are neighbours that help bring the community together. With support from the City, these volunteers work to build connections in their neighbourhood by sharing information and planning events and activities.

Want to get involved? Sign up to be a block connecto r!

Have questions about this opportunity? Hit reply to this email.

Yellow block connector poster with the words "Hey neighbour" in the middle, and speech bubbles around it that write "Hi" and "hello

Request a 'please slow down' sign

'Please slow down' signs are one way that neighbours can encourage safe driving in their neighbourhoods.

Free lawn signs are available for pick-up at Waterloo Service Centre and RIM Park during regular opening hours.

Use this form for coordinating a large neighbourhood order.

Learn more about displaying a lawn sign.

More ways to get involved

June 8: The Service Centre Open House is back! Join us at the Service Centre on June 8 from 10 to 2 p.m. for equipment rides, bike helmet fittings, face painting, a petting zoo, a charity BBQ (cash only) and more.

Neighbourhood groups are often looking for volunteers to plan events and activities. Consider getting involved with your neighbourhood.

Did you know that you can borrow event equipment for neighbourhood events? We have things like lawn games, tents, tables, outdoor movie equipment and more! Interested? Reply to this email to start the process.

The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion has informational and educational resources online. Explore these resources and find information to help support an inclusive community.

Get inspired

Chalk challenge winner

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's Chalk Challenge to spread some neighbourhood cheer. There were beautiful chalk creations throughout neighbourhood blocks, patios and outdoor spaces.

Congratulations to our winner, Sara, who won the contest and received a $50 gift card to a business of their choice.

Just because the challenge is over, doesn't mean you need to stop creating art! Chalk art is a great way to make your neighbour's day.

Celebrating Waterloo's Tree of the Year

On May 4, neighbours from the Uptown West and MacGregor Albert neighbourhoods gathered to celebrate a 120-year-old oak tree at the Waterloo Public Library. The tree won REEP's Tree of the Year.

With the help of a mini grant, neighbours held musical performances, a story reading and different activities to celebrate the tree.

Thank you, Sharon, Teresa, and all the neighbours involved in putting together this special celebration!

Interested in our mini grants? Reach out to us for more details!

Three people playing instruments and performing outdoors

Get in the know

Find places to gather with neighbours

The first step in planning an event is finding a space to host it. Check out the Gathering Spaces Map to find available indoor and outdoor spaces in Waterloo.

This map is updated by submissions from the community. If you have something to add or change, let us know by filling out this form.

Screenshot of a map ontop of an outdoor background. Text reads gathering spaces map.

Movies in the Park

Pull out your blankets and popcorn - Movies in the Park are back this summer at Waterloo Park!

June 13 is the first outdoor movie night. Can't make it? Don't worry, two outdoor movie nights are happening each month this summer.

Learn more about Movies in the Park by following the city's arts and creative industries team @Create_Waterloo on Instagram.

Movies in the Park poster, with a group of people gathered on the grass around a large outdoor screen. The text on the poster writes "Movies in the Park" "Waterloo Park Banshell at Sunset" "June 13 and 27", "July 11 and 25" and "August 8 and 15""

More things to know!

As part of our plan to improve road safety, lower speed limits are coming to Waterloo. We are currently in Phase 3, with speed lowered to 40 km/h in Ward 4, Ward 5 and Ward 6.

Stay up to date on projects happening across the City of Waterloo by signing up and subscribing to Engage Waterloo. Current projects include the Future of Trees in Waterloo and initial feedback for the future of Eby Farmstead in Waterloo Park

Check out the Waterloo Public Library's website for details on upcoming programs, activities and events.

The Clay and Glass Gallery offers different events and programs for the community to participate in.

Check out the Rainbow Community Calendar to find details on SPECTRUM's groups and events.

Learn more about reporting Hate Incidents or Discrimination: involving Islamophobia, Racism, Anti-Immigrant Sentiment and religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.

Waterloo Region has a long history of welcoming refugees and refugee claimants. Immigration Waterloo Region shares information on community support for refugees living in our region.

May Diversity Calendar

May: Asian Heritage Month

May 1: Twelfth Day of Ridvan (Bahá'í)

May 5: National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (Red Dress Day, Canada)

May 6-12: Canadian Mental Health Association Mental Health Week (Canada)

May 12: Mother's Day (Canada)

May 17: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

May 18: Feast of the Ascension (Christianity)

May 20: Journée nationale des patriotes (National Patriots' Day - Québec)

May 20: Victoria Day (Canada)

May 21: International Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (United Nations)

May 22-23: Declaration of the Báb (Bahá'í)

May 23: Vesak (Buddha Day) (Buddhism)

May 26 to June 1: National AccessAbility Week (Canada)

May27-28: Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (Bahá'í)

Source: Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion's Diversity Calendar

Thank you for reading thisedition 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

Sign up for updates about arts and culture, recreation and active living, neighbourhood happenings, cycling, smart business, and other city news and stories.

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.

The City of Waterloo is committed to providing accessible formats and communications support for persons with disabilities. If another format would work better for you, please let us know by calling 519-747-8515 or by emailing us at communications@waterloo.ca.