Be Downright Neighborly In Arvada And Get A Block Party Trailer

ARVADA, CO -- The City of Arvada wants you to know your neighbor and neighborhood, and a new city initiative will throw in a block party trailer, movie night kit and small grants to help build stronger neighborhoods. The former Neighborhood Engagement program, developed as crime watch program for public safety, is getting a makeover, the city announced. It's now called "Neighbors Connected."

"When neighbors are more connected with each other we can create more vibrant, safe, livable cities," said Charise Canales, neighborhood engagement coordinator.

The first step is to find out what neighborhood you live in. To do that, the city provides a Neighborhood Search Tool to find the name of your neighborhood.

Get four or five neighbors together and register with the city, then groups can start getting creative. The city can provide grants to help neighbors start social events such as ice cream socials, potlucks, festivals or movies in the park.

Other neighborhood project ideas include:

· Block Clean up – spring clean-up, recycling project, beautification

· Block Party – use City of Arvada resources to connect neighbors

· Build a “Little Free Library”

· Car Show – use as a fundraiser for association, project, or local school

Construct Dog Poop dispensers – to place in parks

· Develop Neighborhood Identity Signs –involve your community to develop a unique

identity for your neighborhood

· Fundraisers for your neighborhood group, a special project, or a local school – sell

hotdogs, popcorn, etc., during a potluck, car show, movie in the park, or festivals

· Movie Night in the Park – free package available through Neighbors Connected

· National Night Out –

· Neighborhood Festival (seasonal, holidays, diversity)

· Neighborhood Garage Sale – can be a fundraiser for neighborhood group or local school

· Neighborhood History Project – involve seniors to create a CD/DVD of history to share with new neighbors in welcome baskets

· Neighborhood Party

· Neighborhood Potluck

· Plant Garden in a Box kits to beautify neighborhood

· Welcome Baskets for New Neighbors

Find out more by checking out the How to Create a Neighborhood Group publication from the city. Visit the Grants page for small grant applications.

Neighborhoods enrolled in the new Neighbors Connected Program will have access to all our neighborhood incentives including the

• Block Party Trailer
• Neighborhood Movies
• Grants for block parties, organizing a neighborhood and for neighborhood improvements

Find out more here:

Neighbors Connected Online Enrollment Form. City of Arvada Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator: Charise Canales Ccanales@arvada.org 720-898-7535

Image Screenshot from YouTube Video