Reasons to have a Block Party
- To have fun!
- To meet your neighbours. When you know who lives in your neighbourhood, you are more likely to identify strangers or suspicious people.
- To make connections within the community. When you know people, you can exchange skills or resources and perhaps organize a book club, baby-sitting co-op, share walking to school duties, or find new friends for your children.
- To learn a little about each other and who might need a little extra help from time to time.
- To have a neighbourhood clean-up day, play some music and barbeque once all the work is done.
- And to start a neighbourhood tradition of getting together at least once a year.
In partnership by the Town of Edson Protective Services, Town of Edson FCSS & RCMP
Alberta RCMP launches online crime reporting across the province
Edmonton – Today, the Alberta RCMP officially rolls out a new, province-wide online crime reporting initiative. The online crime reporting tool allows Albertans to report select property crimes online. This project has been initiated to ensure the public is able to report select crime types in whatever way is most convenient or accessible to them. A goal for the Alberta RCMP is to make sure all crime is reported, no matter how small. This provides the most accurate crime data and allows our resources to be deployed appropriately in the areas that need it most.
Citizens will be able to report the following crimes online:
- Damage/mischief to property under $5,000
- Theft of bicycle under $5,000
- Theft under $5,000
- Theft from vehicle under $5,000
- Lost property
Incidents must also satisfy the following conditions to be reported online:
- No witnesses or suspects
- Item(s) lost or stolen must cost less than $5,000
- Vandalized property will cost less than $5,000 to repair
- There are no items involving personal identity, firearms, licence plates or decals
All crimes reported online will be followed up with a phone call from a police officer in “K” Division’s Call Back Unit (CBU) within five business days. The CBU was created to ensure all non-urgent calls for service are investigated efficiently and effectively. "The Alberta RCMP is always looking for new opportunities to modernize and streamline our services for all Albertans – no matter where they live in the province," says Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, Commanding Officer of Alberta RCMP. "Online crime reporting is accessible and convenient, and will help us capture more intelligence when it comes to property crime occurring in all of the communities we serve. Offering a contactless service is also vital in these times when physical distancing is so important.”
This initiative has already been piloted in Airdrie, Banff, Cold Lake, Grande Prairie, Red Deer and Strathcona County from June 1, 2020 to present. The link to report a crime online can be found here: https://ocre-sielc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/alberta
We encourage the public to report crime online, when possible. Reporting less serious crime online helps emergency call takers and frontline members focus their time on high-priority calls. We take all reports of crime seriously and crime reported online will be treated the same as crime reported in any other way.
Welcome to the Edson community Neighbourhood Leagues official page. We're excited that you've decided to neighbour!
Important links to check out:
Neighbourhood Leagues Map
*Shows the locations and boundaries of all Neighbourhood Leagues
** If you are unsure in which neighbourhood you reside, call 780-723-4403
Descriptions/boundaries of the Edson Neighbourhoods:
SKYVIEW:
Includes all households north of 13th avenue along 63rd Street (north of Airport), up to HWY 748.
POPLAR PLACE:
Includes all households within Poplar Place Trailer Court off of 13th Avenue.
WESTGROVE:
Includes households east of 63rd Street (north of Airport), north of Creekside, south of 13th Avenue up to and including 61st Street. (neighbourhood cut off at trail behind 61st Street)
WESTHAVEN:
Includes households east of 61st Street, north of Sunset Trailer Court, south of 13th Avenue and west of 56th Street.
CREEKSIDE:
Includes households within Creekside Trailer Court.
SUNSET:
Includes households within Sunset Trailer Court.
GLENWOOD:
Includes households north of HWY 16, south of Glenaire road, east of 75th Street and up to and including 63rd Street (south of Airport). Includes residents living west of town up to Rodeo Road.
CEDARS:
Includes households within Cedar Trailer Court.
GRIFFITHS:
Includes households north of 4th Avenue, east of 55th/56th Street, south of 13th Avenue, and west of 51st Street. Includes all households along the highway corridor easy of 55th Street and west of 51st Street. Includes all households south of the tracks at 54th Street.
NEW TIFFIN:
Includes households in Wilshire. Includes households south of trail, north of 15th Avenue, up to and including Edson Drive (until it meets 15th Avenue).
OLD TIFFIN:
Includes households south of 15th Avenue, east of 56th trail (Tags), north of 13th Avenue and west of Edson Drive.
JUBILEE:
Includes households east and south of Edson Drive, north of 12th Avenue, west of 48th Street.
HEATHERWOOD:
Includes households south of 12th Avenue, east of 51st Street, north of 4th Avenue and west of 46th Street. Includes all households along the highway corridor easy of 51st Street and west of 46th Street.
WILLIAM WILSON:
Includes households south of trails (Parkland/Pinegrove), east of 46th Street, north of 4th Avenue and up to and including 42nd Street. Includes all households along the highway corridor east of 46th Street and up to and including 42nd Street.
LOMOTHE HEIGHTS:
Includes households south of Hillendale trail, east of 42nd Street, north of Lion’s Campground and west of 41st Street (Hospital Road). Includes households located down the Golf Course Road.
HILLENDALE:
Includes households within Hillendale boundary, south of HWY 748, north of Hillendale trail.
Neighbourhood League Facebook groups can consist of more than one neighbourhood as long as it makes geographical sense for that area. For example, Westgrove and Westhaven have a shared neighbourhood group, while Hillendale has their own.
If you are interested in becoming a Neighbourhood League Champion, here is an idea of what your role means:
- For your neighbourhood, yourself alone or with one other neighbour (or as a group), create a Facebook group. Ensure that you are all moderators and have the same level of permissions. We can help with that if you're unsure.
- Make sure you set clear rules and guidelines for your neighbourhood such as respect and regard for others. How to write group rules (with examples).
- You can add entry questions for people who request to be part of the group, such as "What is your address?" to ensure that they actually live in your neighbourhood.
- We will ask for your help in inviting neighbours to the group, we will take care of creating flyers/door hangers, with your assistance distributing them to the members of your neighbourhood.
- When restrictions for COVID-19 are lifted, we will plan a celebration within your neighbourhood and would ask for your help alerting your neighbours.
- We will organize the bulk of the celebration and it will be funded through FCSS and Community Services.
- Moving forward, you can pass the torch to another neighbour or continue on as the champion for your neighbourhood, promoting activities happening in your neighbourhood like garage sales, Block Parties and potlucks.
- There might be other roles you identify as the NLC, but that will be totally up to you!
Neighbourhoods that are not claimed or where no Neighbourhood League Champion has come forward, a group will be created by our team and we will invite neighbours! Once the group gets rolling we will request that a neighbour takes on the role of the group moderator and let it go from there.
Our hope is that community members take this opportunity to build a safer and more connected community through the use of Neighbourhood Leagues.
Register your Block Party:
Print the registration form and return it to Community Services in the Town of Edson Office to be considered a "registered" Block Party. This will allow you to submit receipts for up to a $200 rebate and qualify for 24 FREE cupcakes for your party if you are one of the first 10 to register. *Rebates and cupcakes for Block Parties have been suspended for the duration of the pandemic.
Street Closure
A Street Closure IS NOT NECESSARY for you to throw the coolest party on the block. You can throw one on the driveway, lawn, across the street at a local park OR plan to meet at a park in town with your neighbours. You can even have a Block Party at a community hall, like Pine Grove.
If you ARE planning to host your party on the street, you will need permission from the Town of Edson. Complete the “Permission to Block the Street” Form. Most of your neighbours will be required to sign off that they agree with the street closure, and then you are good to go! Once your request has been approved, street closure signs will be made available to you for the duration of your Block Party!
We need more neighbouring! There are several benefits of neighbouring. A few of the key benefits:
Health and Wellness: More and better relationships improve health. The neighbouring relationship is often overlooked as a unique and potent source of personal well-being.
Mental Health: Having access to consistent opportunities to build meaningful relationships opens the door for a troubled neighbour to connect with a supportive neighbour and benefit from human connection.
Poverty Reduction: People in poverty need often complex services, many of which can be provided through kindness and generosity of neighbours. When people know their neighbours, they are more likely to share resources (yard equipment, car shares, babysitting, employment advice). In addition, neighbours are well positioned to be a "broker" or to connect neighbours in need of necessary services.
If you're interested in learning more, check out our list of benefits HERE. This list is not exhaustive. There are many more benefits of neighbouring!
Want to figure out if your neighbours are interested in having a Block Party? You can use this questionnaire and stick it to your neighbours doors to find out! Be sure to leave your contact information so they can get back to you with a response.
If you don't have a printer and you'd like a few copies to give out in your neighbourhood, come by the Community Services department at the Town office!
Strengthening Neighbour-to-Neighbour Relationships and Responsilbilities
The Benefits of Neighbouring
Adopted from: Abundant Community Edmonton
Block Party Rebate
A maximum rebate of $200.00 is available from the Town of Edson, Community Services Department towards eligible expenses for a registered Block Party. Eligible expenses shall include, but are not limited to, food, non-alcoholic beverages and entertainment. It is at the discretion of the Director of Community Services (or his/her designate) which expenses shall be deemed eligible. A maximum of five registered block parties per year may receive the rebate.
For further information, please read the Community Block Party Policy below:
The first 10 Block Parties will receive 24 FREE cupcakes towards their party, and can still submit receipts for up to $200 in eligible rebates. It's never been more simple to become the coolest neighbour on your block.
The Block Party Trailer is available to borrow for all registered Block Parties if it is not already in use. Be sure to mark off your Block Party Trailer request on the Block Party Application form.
The Block Party is a Community Development initiative, connecting neighbourhoods, a partnership between the Town of Edson Community Services and FCSS, A Healthier Edson (Alberta Health Services), Victim Services, the RCMP and Citizens on Patrol.
Host a soup night! A small social gathering with neighbours, sharing recipes and eating yummy soups. These events don't take much to plan and they offer an opportunity to connect with the families in our neighbourhoods. Start with a group of 3 or 4 neighbours and slowly build your "Pass the Ladle" group within your neighbourhood. Think about how easy suppers will be when you have neighbours taking turns creating and sharing delicious soups. Of course, feel free to make variations of dishes such as chili, casseroles and stews.
Rebates are available as they are through the Block Party program. Keep your receipts and submit them along with a success story. We will rebate the host of your soup night! Recipe cards like these are available at the Town of Edson Community Services office. The blank recipe card on the back can be used to jot down the recipe of the night or for you to share a recipe of your own with neighbours.
5 Simple Steps to planning a soup night:
1. Invite your neighbours! A simple where, when, what and bring your own spoon and bowl will do!
2. Set the table.
3. Serve the soup and have a great time together.
4. Plan for the next soup night!
5. Submit your receipts and success story to the Community Services office.
Here are some yummy recipe ideas to get you started:
5-Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Soup
Other Ideas to Enhance your Block Party:
Try a Scavenger Hunt:
Complete this Neighbourhood Scavenger Hunt at your Block Party, or check out links below for other activity ideas that you can prepare for your upcoming Block Party!
