Welcome to the 50th edition of Neighbours helping Neighbours, a bi-weekly newsletter from the neighbourhoods team, with a focus on good news stories, important community updates and an ever growing list of support resources.
Kind neighbours help to ensure everyone feels safe, respected, and included. As we approach Halloween, here are some ways neighbours can be more inclusive:
- Be aware that not all neighbours celebrate Halloween
- Avoid harmful costumes that are disrespectful to others and their experiences
- Remember that someone’s culture is not a costume
- Consider wearing theme colours, like black and orange, rather than a costume
- Plan crafts, activities, and events that are inclusive for all neighbours to enjoy
- Be mindful of dietary restrictions and allergies, if sharing treats
- If offering treats, use an accessible location
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Is there someone doing awesome near you?
The City of Waterloo wants to recognize people who do something great, big or small, in their neighbourhood. Nominations will be accepted year-round and every nominee will receive a thank you package.
How can you get involved?
- Submit a quick and easy nomination to describe your kind neighbour’s contributions
- Help spread the word about this new program
- Be a caring and kind neighbour!
Spotted: Neighbourhood Kindness!
Jamie shares: "Joe has run the neighborhood rink for several years and is an amazing person to work with.
He manages the setup and maintenance of the rink, the relationships within the community making posts on the neighborhood page on Facebook, and so on. And he does it all with grace and kindness at the core of every decision and statement he makes.
He's put in countless hours making this resource available to the community, and I can't think of a better more deserving recipient."
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Foxhunt Music in the Park 2021 |
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On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in September, Foxhunt neighbours hosted their first Music in the Park event in Kingscourt Park.
With the help of a mini grant, organizers were able to put in place all the recommendations to have a safe outdoor event.
KW Collective Band featuring Phil H from the 'hood, Rick Guzik on the accordian and for the little music enthusiasts, Music Together with Jodie and Sarah provided a fantastic array of music for all ages. Kingscourt Park was buzzing with lots of conversation and activities.
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Virtual Neighbourhood Summit 2021 |
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From November 9 to December 1, the City of Waterloo will host the 3rd annual Neighbourhood Summit through a series of virtual sessions. The summit will bring together neighbours from across the city to build capacity, share information and network. Workshops include:
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Getting to know your neighbours: Barriers to relationship building ~ November 9 from 7-8:15pm Explores the importance of relationships to a healthy neighbourhood and managing conflict; and how our unconscious bias impacts relationship building.
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Getting to know your neighbours: Ideas for addressing conflict ~ November 16 from 7-8:15pm Attendees will gain an understanding of alternate ways to resolve conflict between neighbours.
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Understanding Planning in Waterloo ~ November 25 from 7-8:30pm This workshop will share high-level information about urban planning in Waterloo and provide details on how neighbours can get involved/stay informed.
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Neighbourhood Networking with the Volunteer Action Centre ~ December 1 from 6:30-7:30pm At this session, attendees will be able to ask questions, share their knowledge, and build connections with other neighbours. Neighbours will discuss interests, questions, ideas, or other topics about connecting in their community.
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The Ultimate Sacrifice: Welcome Home Cemetery Tour |
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Sunday, November 7, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m.
Parkview Cemetery tour *note new location*
Pre-registration required
Relive history through this guided tour in Waterloo’s beautiful Parkview Cemetery as we honour the forgotten, who served our country in the Second World War. The interactive walk will include audio clips from local veterans who after service, made their home in the new housing development now known as Waterloo’s Veterans’ Green area. This unique opportunity will allow participants to hear firsthand how Waterloo’s veterans adjusted to life after the war and came to call Waterloo home.
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Grateful for community garden harvests |
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The Vista Hills Community Garden is wrapping up the first season in Sundew Park. Garden volunteers and gardeners enjoyed building the garden, growing fresh produce, and connecting in the community. The team is looking forward to the next garden season! |
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New locations for dog poop containers |
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Currently, there is one dog poop recycling container at each of these locations in Waterloo:
- Bechtel Dog Park
- St. Moritz Park
- Lakeshore Optimist Park
- McCrae Park
- Rolling Hills Park
- Chesapeake Park
- Old Post Park
- Red River Park
- Mary Allen Park
- Pinery Trail Park
- Vista Hills Park
- Waterloo Park East
- Moses Springer
Dog owners pick up poop and drop it into these containers. Any type of bag can be used - they don't have to be compostable. A waste removal company empties the containers with a vacuum and transports the waste to be converted into energy.
The estimated environmental benefits are impressive. Since 2017, these containers:
- diverted about 91,687 lbs of waste from the landfill
- removed 1.16 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere
- powered the equivalent of 24.36 homes for a year
Our goal is to grow this program, and install additional containers every year. This fall, we are installing one new container at each of these locations:
- Bechtel Dog Park
- Waterloo Park West
- New Hampshire Park
- Beechdrops Park
We chose these locations because they are high-traffic areas with lots of dogs!
Based on feedback submitted by the community, staff will install a container in these additional five locations:
- Dunvegan Park
- Regency Park
- Forested Hills
- Westvale Park
- Anndale Park
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Changes to fireworks bylaw |
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Council recently approved updates to the fireworks bylaw. The changes include:
- Fireworks will be permitted 1 day before and 1 day after:
- Canada Day,
- Victoria Day,
- during the recognized duration of the holidays Lunar New Year (otherwise known as Chinese New Year), and
- Diwali (otherwise known as Deepavali).
- Fireworks may only be set off until 11pm on the permitted days outlined above.
- Language for holiday names to be updated.
City staff will provide education related to minimizing human impact for fireworks use near environmentally sensitive areas.
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Check out the Guide to Improve Social Connectedness created in collaboration with Age-Friendly Waterloo Multi-Agency Committee. This guide is intended to create awareness for older adults experiencing social isolation and provide resources to help neighbours become connected to the community.
To check out the guide online, visit the City of Waterloo website. Hard copies are available from city recreation facilities and local libraries.
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Your input is needed for new recreation program development |
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The City of Waterloo, Community Programming and Recreation Services teams are excited for the anticipated opening of the renovated and expanded Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.
In order to prepare for the opening, we are collecting information through this survey and your feedback will contribute to the development of new programs to promote social health and connectivity for adults and older adults throughout the Waterloo community.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this program survey and/or for sharing this link widely with your family, friends, neighbours or colleagues. The deadline for survey completion is October 31, 2021.
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Improving the Laurel Greenway experience |
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City staff are working with a consultant team and other community groups to improve the Laurel Greenway experience in Waterloo. The greenway is a linear park space and trail that weaves through uptown Waterloo, running from Waterloo Park to Weber Street. The plan focuses on the trail, wayfinding, active transportation, and connections between spaces throughout.
There are long-term and short-term projects to consider, and we encourage you to visit Engage Waterloo to share your thoughts and ideas about the design concepts for the greenway. There is also a map to plot out different elements you’d like to see, like seating, gathering spaces, public art and lighting. Feedback is welcome until Nov. 30, 2021. |
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City of Waterloo Museum current exhibit: The Many Shapes of Clay presents over 75 historic ceramic pieces from the collection. Open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located in Conestoga Mall by the Galaxy Cinemas and Food Court
- Learn more about Sulah restorative approaches in situations of harm stemming from Islamophobia, racism or xenophobia (anti-immigrant sentiment) and as a pro-active measure to build relationships across cultures provided by Community Justice Initiatives and the Coalition of Muslim Women of KW.
- The Waterloo Region 2021 Vital Signs® Report prepared by the KW Community Foundation shines a spotlight on the current state of affordable housing – not just home ownership, but long-term access to a roof over your head whether you own it or not. It’s built on gathering a lot of data, from a variety of sources, to paint a picture of who’s feeling the impact of expensive and inadequate shelter. It examines affordable housing through a variety of lenses including economic security, gender, immigration, the environment, children and youth, and for those with disabilities. It also looks at the impacts for individuals in our community who are Indigenous, Black or racialized.
- Schneider Haus presents UN/COVERINGS, Mennonite & Muslim Women’s Heads and Hearts Exhibit is a multimedia, fashion-based installation, co-curated by Dr. Laura Morlock, lecturer at Ryerson’s School of Fashion, and Dr. Cristina Moreno-Almeida, Post Doctoral Fellow at King’s College London, invites visitors to challenge their own biases and stereotypes around religious headcoverings. The exhibition runs until May 15, 2022.
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Waterloo Public Library has book bundles for pick-up! Request a Surprise Me! Book Bundles for Adults or order a custom children's bundle based on age, reading level, and interest.
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November 1 ~ All Saints' Day. All Saint’s Day, also known as All Hallows' Day, Hallowmas, Feast of All Saints, or Solemnity of All Saints, is a Christian festival celebrated in honour of all the saints, known and unknown. (Christian)
- November 2 ~ All Souls Day. In Christianity, All Souls' Day commemorates All Souls, the Holy Souls, or the Faithful Departed; that is, the souls of Christians who have died. (Christian)
- November 4 ~ Diwali. Diwali or Deepavali is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated every year in autumn in the northern hemisphere (spring in southern hemisphere). (Hindu)
- November 7 ~ Birth of the Bab. Celebrates the birth of the Bab, the founder of Bábism, and one of the central figures of the Bahá'í Faith. (Bahá’í)
- November 11 ~ Remembrance Day. Commemorates the members of the armed forces who have sacrificed their lives during the World Wars and other military efforts in history and currently.
Source: Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion
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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 communications@waterloo.ca. If you’re reading Waterloo Neighbourhoods as a non-subscriber, visit our subscription page to sign up for future editions.
The City of Waterloo is committed to providing accessible formats and communications support for persons with disabilities. If another format would work better for you, please let us know by calling 519-747-8515 or by emailing us at communications@waterloo.ca.
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