The city is so impressed with the success of the block party program, it is hoping even more residents will host one this year.
Last year there were 83 block parties across St. Albert and this year the city wants to see at least 100. But while last year the month of June was Block Party Month, there will be no such proclamation this year.
“All summer is block party time,” said community development co-ordinator Angie Diedrick. “What was happening was people thought they could only access free resources in June.”
Anyone who wants to hold a block party on their street can visit the website www.stalbert.ca/block-party-information to find out how to get started. Once registered, public works will block off the location of the party from traffic. There are free hot dogs and hamburgers available courtesy of Neighbourhood Watch and Citizens’ Patrol, and the city also has five different grab bags of games and other activities available.
“We’re encouraging residents to be engaged in their neighbourhoods and the reason we are doing that is connected communities, we know they lead to safety and security and that’s really important,” Diedrick said.
Block parties are also important for the RCMP, said Insp. Kevin Murray, St. Albert’s detachment commander. If possible, officers will stop by a block party to chat with those in attendance.
“It gives us an opportunity to speak with a good number of people from one neighbourhood and answer any questions or concerns,” Murray said. “But that interaction makes us more approachable too and gives us an opportunity to discuss some crime prevention information or tips that they can think of.”
The parties help create safer communities, Murray said, because the people in the neighbourhood start paying more attention to the people who live close by.
“It really is about getting people knowing their neighbours and getting them interested in what’s happening so they are not disconnected and they start paying attention what’s going on, maybe making a connection they might not otherwise have made,” Murray said.
Of the block parties held last year, 99 per cent were evaluated by their hosts as a success, Diedrick said.
“What we’re hearing from people is they are finding their neighbourhoods are more connected and they feel a stronger sense of community,” Diedrick said. “Then there are more people helping each other out during the year.”
Some block parties have spawned local walking groups or play dates between neighbours’ kids, Diedrick said. Some have even started hosting block parties annually.
And anyone who hosts a block party is invited to the city’s neighbourhood network. Held once a month, it’s a meeting to share ideas about increasing that sense of belonging, Diedrick said.
“I guess we are looking at, we know there is great stuff happening and is there anything more we can do,” Diedrick said.
There will be an unofficial kickoff to block party season on Sunday with a gathering at Gilmore Crescent to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the actual street. The block party runs from 4 to 8 p.m.
