Get involved

Neighbourhood Picnic Table program (Apply by May 19)

Nominate your neighbourhood park for a picnic table! One park will be selected to receive picnic tables with artwork from local artists.

Nominate a park here

Want to see what parks across the city have a picnic table through this program? Use our Neighbourhood Picnic Table Program map

Pictured: Brighton Park picnic table by Ella Dowhaniuk

Coordinate a planting project in your neighbourhood

Interested in more trees in your neighbourhood park? Help expand our urban forest by coordinating a planting project in your neighbourhood.

The city will support you every step of the way by providing up to 15 large trees per project, event supplies and assistance on planting day. Your role will be to organize community planting days and to care for the trees for two years after planting.

Learn more at Partners in Parks and apply by May 31.

More ways to get involved

• The deadline to nominate a senior for the Senior of the Year Award is April 2. If you know any seniors in your community who are doing great things, be sure to fill out the nomination form soon!

• Attention grade 5 students! The deadline to apply for Council for a Day has been extended until April 5. Submit your ideas and you could win the title of Councillor for a Day and spend the day with Mayor McCabe.

• Looking for an opportunity to volunteer close to home? Reach out to your neighbourhood group or association to see what volunteer positions are available.

• 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.

• WR Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis is a volunteer-led group focused on helping displaced Ukrainians fleeing war and arriving in Waterloo Region.

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.

Throwback to summer days!

Each September the MacGregor Albert Community Association hosts a welcome back event to connect with new neighbours in the area. This event brings the community together and helps build strong connections.

Remember, if you are interested in hosting an event that impacts the roadway and sidewalks, permit applications must be submitted 60 days before the event. Reach out to [email protected] to get started early!

Warming up with winter connections

A neighbour in Beechwood used a $300 mini grant to host a winter day of fun. Grant money was used to purchase treats like hot chocolate and cookies. The organizer also used equipment from the neighbourhood event equipment rental program to support their event in Regency Park. Thanks to awesome neighbours for planning these connections!

Interested in hosting a connection for your neighbours? Reach out to [email protected] to get started!

There are many ways to be kind to neighbours and the planet this Earth Day! Some ideas include:

• Picking up litter from around your neighbourhood or participating in a planned community clean-up. Learn more about the Earth Day Community Cleanup.
• Connecting with neighbours and sharing helpful sustainability information 
• Planting vibrant rain gardens and native pollinator plants to beautify your front yard (and neighbourhood!)
• Encouraging clothing and toy swaps with neighbours rather than buying new items 
• Using active transportation to get around your neighbourhood and carpooling with neighbours when possible

Get in the know

Chalk Challenge is a month away!

One month until the neighbourhood Chalk Challenge! From May 4 to 11 neighbours are encouraged to get outside, connect with neighbours, and create chalk art to brighten neighbourhoods. You'll even get a chance to win a $50 gift card to a Waterloo business.

More details to come!

New playground at White Elm Park

A new playground is coming to White Elm park in the Columbia Forest neighbourhood in Waterloo!



Residents in the neighbourhood are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas about the playground through an Engage Waterloo survey.

Make sure to also subscribe to the project page to get updates and notifications about the new playground.

More things to know!

• April 6: Erb West's Wellness Workshop and Wellness Fair to learn about different ways to destress and improve your sleep, such as EFT-tapping, knitting and crocheting, sketching/comic making and more!
• April 8: The solar eclipse. Find safety tips for viewing the eclipse and ways to protect your eyes.

• April 18: Explore Your Future's career fair where students and caregivers can better understand opportunities for work and learning in the Waterloo Region.

• Check out the Waterloo Public Library's website for details on upcoming programs, activities, and events, like bike repair workshops and outdoor activities for all ages.

• 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.

• Immigration Waterloo Region shares information on community support in solidarity with Ukraine and supporting Afghan resettlement in Waterloo Region.

April Diversity Calendar

March 24-April 1: Holy Week (Orthodox / Eastern)

April 1: Easter Monday (Western)

April 2: World Autism Awareness Day

April 2: National Caregiver Day

April 6: International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

April 6: International Asexuality Day

April 7: International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

April 7: World Health Day

April 9: Day of Valour / Araw ng Kagitingan

April 9-10: Eid Al-Fitr

April 10: International Day of Pink

April 13: Vaisakhi / Baisakhi

April 13: Sinhala and Tamil New Year

April 14: Vishu

April 14-20: National Volunteer Week

April 19–May 1: Ridván

April 21: World Creativity and Innovation Day

April 21-27: Canadian Infertility Awareness Week

April 22: Earth Day

April 22-30: Passover / Pesach

April 23: St. George’s Day

April 24: Theravada New Year

April 24: Armenian Genocide Memorial Day

April 25: Girls in ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Day

April 28: Day of Mourning

April 28: World Day for Health and Safety at Work

April 30: Journey to Freedom Day

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

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: [email protected]

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 [email protected]. If you’re reading Waterloo Neighbourhoods as a non-subscriber, visit our subscription page to sign up for future editions.

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