City of waterloo neighbourhoods: strong and connected.

What makes you smile?

Have you noticed the new Smile Corner section of this newsletter? We want to know what makes you smile in Waterloo!

Do you have a favourite coffee spot, trail, park, or an adorable pet? Tell us all about it!

Send us your photo and a short caption by replying to this email, and you could see your photo featured in our next newsletter!

🙂 Smile corner 🙂

Beth is missing the warmer weather and shared a photo she captured walking through the forest in her neighbourhood.

"Walking through the forest always makes me smile. A forest walk is always calming, but there is also a lot going on in the forest ecosystem to observe, whether it is catching a glimpse of a forest animal, or watching the forest undergo natural change and growth. There are forest walks, short and long, throughout the city. I encourage others to get out and walk our forests for a few moments away from the hustle and bustle."

Get involved

St. Mortiz Park: Let's grow together

Have you heard the news? We're planning on renewing St. Mortiz Park. This park is already a favourite place for many, and with your help, we’re going to make it even better.

What ideas do you have for the future of the park? Share your thoughts and learn more!

People standing and sitting during an evvent at St, Moritz park

More ways to get involved

Do you love chatting and connecting with your neighbours? Then you'd be a great fit for our Neighbourhood Connector program!
Help take care of your neighbourhood park! We're looking for people to organize a park clean up for Earth Day

Get inspired

Plan a frosty festival for your neighbourhood

Neighbours in Beechwood hosted a Winterfest, turning their neighbourhood park into a frosty, fun-filled festival.

The event had everything winter lovers could dream of! Neighbours enjoyed curling, skating, s'mores and of course, hot chocolate! It was the perfect way to embrace the season and celebrate the neighbourhood.

The neighbourhood received funding for this event through the Neighbourhood Fund, which supports ideas that bring neighbours together. Want to do something similar? Apply and get up to $7,500 to make it happen!

More ways to get inspired!

Want to bring a cool art project, like a community performance or a mural to your neighbourhood? Our Artists in Neighbourhoods program is opening soon.
From active walking tours and creative craft sessions to movie nights under the stars, we have a great list of neighbourhood event ideas.

Senior of the Year Award 2025

You know them: caring, involved seniors who go out of their way to make a difference in our community. Maybe they’re a helpful neighbour or a dedicated volunteer?

Consider nominating a special 65+ resident for a Senior of the Year Award! Nominations close April 2.

Nominate someone for Senior of the Year!

Get in the know

Minor sports registration and try-it event

Know some junior athletes in the neighbourhood? Local minor sport organizations are having a registration and a try-it event on February 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the RIM Park Field House.

Check out what organizations are participating on the Waterloo Minor Girls Softball Association website.

More things to know!

For Black History Month, Waterloo Public Library has books, events, and learning resources to honour the legacy and contributions of Black people in Canada and their communities.

March 7: Make plans with your neighbours to check out the International Women's Day market happening from 3 to 8 p.m. at CIGI.

The City just launched the first-ever Get READI plan, focused on how to make Waterloo more inclusive, equitable and accessible.

Keep your neighbours safe while in the pool and apply for our FREE Aquatic Leadership Certification program (for 21+)!

Spectrum Waterloo Region's Rainbow Community space offers a variety of programs and services, check out their website for more information.

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.

February Diversity Calendar

February 01: World Hijab Day

February 01: Imbolc / Imbolg / Oimelc / Candlemas

February 02: Groundhog Day

February 02: Vasant Panchami

February 04: World Cancer Day

February 06: International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

February 11: International Day of Women and Girls in Science

February 12: Lantern Festival

February 12: Māgha Pūjā

February 13: World Radio Day

February 14: Valentine’s Day

February 15: National Flag of Canada Day

February 15: Parinirvana / Nirvana Day

February 17: Family Day

February 17: Islander Day

February 17: Louis Riel Day

February 17: Nova Scotia Heritage Day

February 20: World Day of Social Justice

February 21: International Mother Language Day

February 26: Pink Shirt Day

February 28 - March 2: Losar (Tibetan New Year)

February 01 – 07: World Interfaith Harmony Week

February 03 – 09: White Cane Week

February 16- 22: Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week

February 28 (sundown) - March 19: Nineteen Day Fast

Black History Month (Canada)

African Heritage Month (Nova Scotia)

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

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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