This Is My Neighbourhood is an exciting City
initiative created to improve city programs and services in our neighbourhoods and bring
our city together in a better way. Working with fourteen communities, Calgary residents
had the chance to shape the future of their neighbourhood and improve their quality of
life. Over 100 initiatives were part of This Is My Neighbourhood - here are a few examples. In the Northwest, we worked with Capitol Hill
–a neighbourhood that wanted to be inclusive, connected and pedestrian friendly. The City
of Calgary came together with residents to explore active transportation in the community
through the 20th Ave Street Lab project. I like the fact that they're consulting the
community. I like the ideas of a bicycle lane, public art and making it more pedestrian friendly. I like the Living Lab idea, that people can
see, feel and touch what The City's proposing and I think it's a great idea. Working towards their community vision, the
street lab included temporary public art, entertainment, safety education, and walking
and cycling enhancements. The initiative increased safety, improved accessibility and created
a stronger bike network. Auburn Bay, a Southeast community was also
part of the project. As part of their vision, residents shared that recreation options were
limited in the neighbourhood. As a result, a fit park consisting of a chin-up bar and
sit-up bench was installed. This addition to the community provides parents
with the opportunity to exercise while keeping an eye on their children who were playing
at the playground. The fit park has now become a recreational destination for many Auburn
Bay residents. In the Northeast, we worked with the Crossroads
community which includes the neighbourhoods of Mayland Heights and Vista Heights. These
neighbourhoods wanted to add to its identity and create a stronger sense of place. The
City worked with community members on a fun public art initiative. I think it's brought us together. I got to
meet a lot of new people. It makes my community look pretty. Makes it
look beautiful. They're definitely an eye-catcher instead
of an eyesore when you drive by or walk by or bike by. Together, residents and The City selected
an artist who would help create a sense of identity, pride and positivity within the
neighbourhood. Using the theme “boundless birds”, the artist and twenty volunteers
painted utility boxes and bins, which helped identify and unite the neighbourhood, and
improve the aesthetics. In Calgary’s Southwest, North Glenmore Park wanted to create a vibrant, locally focused,
friendly community where residents could enjoy their green spaces. The City hosted a Community Play Day at the
North Glenmore Park Community Association. More than 60 attendees took part in the day,
contributed to the community vision and had the opportunity to get to know one another. With the success we’ve experienced with
the first group of communities, we can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve with the
next 14 neighbourhoods. From safety improvements to creating better social networks, we have
the chance to make Calgary a better city, one neighbourhood at a time.
We’re proud of the work we’ve done through the This Is My Neighbourhood initiative. It
started with fourteen neighbourhoods – and will only continue to strengthen the way we
work together, and live together.