Stettler Wellness Network has embarked upon a healthy plan to promote block parties, which will allow neighbours to interact and know one another closely.
Members of the organization put together a toolkit, and now community partners are trying to promote that toolkit which answers such questions as how to host a block party, what it entails, whether permits are required, where to get barricade and signage from, and other details.
Stettler Regional Early Child Development Committee (Stettler ECD) has come forward to support these block parties and the children that attend, with games and activities that help provide opportunities for their development.
At the first block party, there was a giant ball that the kids had fun rolling down the slope and playing with. There were benches set up where neighbours could catch up. There was food, entertainment by way of jazz music, and suddenly the whole block was bustling with activity and having fun.
Theresa Perkins, one of the residents on the block said, "You don't necessarily get to talk to everybody on your block, right? You recognize the faces, you wave, say a quick hello. But this is an opportunity to meet them, get to know their kids a little bit."
This is exactly what the Stettler Wellness Network and its community partners say they are trying to do, engage and bring people closer.
Barb Gano, member of Stettler ECD said, "We want people to connect. Get to know your neighbours; have those conversations so that you know if your child needs some help after school or when you can't get home, your neighbour might stop in and play with them for a little while. Or if the kids in the neighbourhood know each other they can have impromptu, informal play that happens in somebody's backyard. If there's a senior that lives in the neighbourhood, by themselves, there will be other people to look out for them."
Supporters of the idea hope that as more block parties are successfully organized, communities will benefit from and enjoy the camaraderie that comes with living in friendly neighbourhoods.