City has program that result in the development of better neighbourhoods - Check them out.

By Staff

April 26, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

Burlington’s neighbourhoods and community groups are described by Chris Glenn, Director of Parks and Recreation as “the heart of this city” Nurturing and putting in the resources to keep them healthy and active is what is behind five city programs.

As part of National Volunteer Week, the City of Burlington is encouraging residents to actively champion community building with the help of the City of Burlington’s community support programs.

The city offers a total of five different programs designed to bring neighbours together and make Burlington a better place to play and live. The programs include:

• Love My Hood
Introduced in 2015, the Love My Hood program is designed to make it easier for residents to host neighbourhood events by providing the organizers with resources, support and funding up to $300.

City funding helped transform the woodlot located at the park lands of the former General Brock High School into a healthy forest.

• Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund
The Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund program provides up to $5,000 in city funding to support community group-led projects in Burlington. Approved projects receive up to 50 per cent of the funding for the project from the city when matched by the group with an equal contribution of volunteer hours, donated services and materials or other funds raised, such as cash donations.

• Community Development Fund
One-time Community Development funding is available to community organizations that provide programs and services that enhance the quality of life for residents. The funding can be used to help pay for training, equipment, advertising or start-up costs.

There wasn’t that much of an uptake for the neighbourhood ice rink program – that was die to a warm winter – but there was one rink set up in the Alton Village that did get a couple of young players out on the ice – before it all melted away.

• Neighbourhood Rinks
The Neighbourhood Rink program encourages neighbours to come together to maintain a natural outdoor ice rink in their local park during the winter months. City staff installs the rink boards which are then maintained by neighbourhood volunteer groups. The rinks are open to the public and free to use.

• Facility Fee Waiver
Fee waivers are available from the city to help pay the rental fees for a City of Burlington-permitted facility that is being used by a non-profit organization to offer a program, service or event for Burlington residents.
There is more information on each of these programs on the city web site.

The Mayor hopes to have at least 150 Love My Hood events taking place in the city by Canada Day – his way of seeing the city really celebrating the country’s sesquicentennial.  That event is just a little over 60 days away.