Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic generated some laughs as he high-fived people at the Neighbourhood Stategy party with a large, lime green gloved hand.
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By Carrie Debrone
Kitchener Citizen
May 5, 2016
The joint was jumpin’ as Stanley Park Community Centre hosted the first city-led neighbourhood party April 26, kicking off Kitchener’s plan to engage as many residents as possible in creating its first-ever Neighbourhood Strategy.
The party attracted over 400 people, and Mayor Berry Vrbanovic generated some laughs as he worked his way across the triple gymnasium floor high-fiving residents with a large, lime green glove he was wearing on one hand.
The event included a free BBQ, music, children’s activities and speakers before neighbours were asked to break into smaller focus groups to discuss and answer four questions:
1. What idea do you have to make your neighbourhood even better?
2. Think of a neighbour you respect or admire. How are they helping your neighbourhood in 2026?
3. Tell us about the new or improved spaces, events or programs that will enhance your neighbourhood experience in 2026.
4. Who is working together and what are they doing to address challenges and opportunities in your neighbourhood?
“Just the fact that almost 500 people registered for this event within two weeks of its announcement is a clear sign that Kitchener wants a neighbourhood strategy,” said Kitchener deputy chief administrative officer Michael May.
May told the crowd that helping to build strong and thriving neigbourhoods in the city is not just his job, it is his passion.
He then told his personal story of growing up in a Forest Heights area neighbourhood where he met his closest friends who remain his friends today.
“My neighbourhood growing up was the best neighbourhood I’ve ever had. It’s the small stuff that made it the best neighbourhood and that’s what we’re looking for here,” he said, explaining that grass roots projects are what make neighbourhoods great – projects like little libraries, recreation groups, parks, playgrounds, community groups and soccer fields.
“We want to help neighbours work together to do great things,” May said.
“Just a couple of weeks ago, I delivered my 2016 State of the City speech where I unveiled our new ‘Make it Kitchener’ economic development strategy – a strategy that is as much about making great neighbourhoods as it is about making investments in our manufacturing and high-tech sectors,” noted Mayor Berry Vrbanovic.
Kitchener resident Myrna Eby came to the event to hear Jim Diers from Seattle who was the guest speaker for the evening. Diers was Seattle’s first director of its Department of Neighbourhoods, and he received a cheer from the large crowd when he said, “You are part of a huge global movement.”
Resident Louise Dixon said she came because she wants to talk about establishing a public swimming pool that would be open every day to adults only, in order to serve the city’s growing senior population.
“This kind of event gives you the opportunity to comment on things. It feels like they are really interested in what you think,” Dixon said.
“I think it’s fantastic how large a scope this project is. Large scale engagement is exciting,” said Danielle Laperrier when asked why she decided to come to the event.
“I hope to get connected to like-minded people. I want to integrate environmental concerns into the local community-owned and neighbourhood owned initiatives,” she said.
Matthew McBride, from the Central Frederick Neighbourhood Association, said he believes the party “is a good way to see what other organizations in the city are doing. It’s also good for our kids to get a sense of the broader community. Feedback is an essential part of healthy participation,” he said.
If you missed the kick-off party, there are many more ways to be involved in creating the Neighbourhood Strategy between now and mid-August, including street teams, focus groups and online tools.
Volunteer street teams will be going to neighbourhood events and public gathering places to have short one-on-one conversations on what makes a great neighbourhood and how the city can help residents do more in their ‘hood. The city is now recruiting volunteers in an attempt to reach as many neighbourhoods as possible. To volunteer or request the team to your gathering visit www.kitchener.ca/lovemyhood.
Both organized and informal groups are invited to host focus groups. The simple and fun conversations can be held anywhere, at any time and will give people the opportunity to share ideas for making their neighbourhoods even better. Groups can sign up to host a focus group at www.kitchener.ca/lovemyhood.
Using the City of Kitchener’s new online engagement platform – Engage Kitchener – people can complete an interactive survey and participate in an ideas forum to provide input on planning, building and supporting safe and thriving neighbourhoods.
For more information about Kitchener’s Neighbourhood Strategy visit www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/Neighbourhood-Strategy.asp
Kitchener Citizen
May 5, 2016
The joint was jumpin’ as Stanley Park Community Centre hosted the first city-led neighbourhood party April 26, kicking off Kitchener’s plan to engage as many residents as possible in creating its first-ever Neighbourhood Strategy.
The party attracted over 400 people, and Mayor Berry Vrbanovic generated some laughs as he worked his way across the triple gymnasium floor high-fiving residents with a large, lime green glove he was wearing on one hand.
The event included a free BBQ, music, children’s activities and speakers before neighbours were asked to break into smaller focus groups to discuss and answer four questions:
1. What idea do you have to make your neighbourhood even better?
2. Think of a neighbour you respect or admire. How are they helping your neighbourhood in 2026?
3. Tell us about the new or improved spaces, events or programs that will enhance your neighbourhood experience in 2026.
4. Who is working together and what are they doing to address challenges and opportunities in your neighbourhood?
“Just the fact that almost 500 people registered for this event within two weeks of its announcement is a clear sign that Kitchener wants a neighbourhood strategy,” said Kitchener deputy chief administrative officer Michael May.
May told the crowd that helping to build strong and thriving neigbourhoods in the city is not just his job, it is his passion.
He then told his personal story of growing up in a Forest Heights area neighbourhood where he met his closest friends who remain his friends today.
“My neighbourhood growing up was the best neighbourhood I’ve ever had. It’s the small stuff that made it the best neighbourhood and that’s what we’re looking for here,” he said, explaining that grass roots projects are what make neighbourhoods great – projects like little libraries, recreation groups, parks, playgrounds, community groups and soccer fields.
“We want to help neighbours work together to do great things,” May said.
“Just a couple of weeks ago, I delivered my 2016 State of the City speech where I unveiled our new ‘Make it Kitchener’ economic development strategy – a strategy that is as much about making great neighbourhoods as it is about making investments in our manufacturing and high-tech sectors,” noted Mayor Berry Vrbanovic.
Kitchener resident Myrna Eby came to the event to hear Jim Diers from Seattle who was the guest speaker for the evening. Diers was Seattle’s first director of its Department of Neighbourhoods, and he received a cheer from the large crowd when he said, “You are part of a huge global movement.”
Resident Louise Dixon said she came because she wants to talk about establishing a public swimming pool that would be open every day to adults only, in order to serve the city’s growing senior population.
“This kind of event gives you the opportunity to comment on things. It feels like they are really interested in what you think,” Dixon said.
“I think it’s fantastic how large a scope this project is. Large scale engagement is exciting,” said Danielle Laperrier when asked why she decided to come to the event.
“I hope to get connected to like-minded people. I want to integrate environmental concerns into the local community-owned and neighbourhood owned initiatives,” she said.
Matthew McBride, from the Central Frederick Neighbourhood Association, said he believes the party “is a good way to see what other organizations in the city are doing. It’s also good for our kids to get a sense of the broader community. Feedback is an essential part of healthy participation,” he said.
If you missed the kick-off party, there are many more ways to be involved in creating the Neighbourhood Strategy between now and mid-August, including street teams, focus groups and online tools.
Volunteer street teams will be going to neighbourhood events and public gathering places to have short one-on-one conversations on what makes a great neighbourhood and how the city can help residents do more in their ‘hood. The city is now recruiting volunteers in an attempt to reach as many neighbourhoods as possible. To volunteer or request the team to your gathering visit www.kitchener.ca/lovemyhood.
Both organized and informal groups are invited to host focus groups. The simple and fun conversations can be held anywhere, at any time and will give people the opportunity to share ideas for making their neighbourhoods even better. Groups can sign up to host a focus group at www.kitchener.ca/lovemyhood.
Using the City of Kitchener’s new online engagement platform – Engage Kitchener – people can complete an interactive survey and participate in an ideas forum to provide input on planning, building and supporting safe and thriving neighbourhoods.
For more information about Kitchener’s Neighbourhood Strategy visit www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/Neighbourhood-Strategy.asp
Over 400 people attended the city’s Neighbourhood Strategy kick-off party at Stanley Park Community Centre on April 26.
Photos by Carrie Debrone
Photos by Carrie Debrone
The first Kitchener Neighbourhood Strategy party draws over 400 people