Our McGillvary Loop neighbourhood started with a simple walk around the block — around the “Loop,” as we soon came to call it.
Actually, it started when three households met a few times to talk about the benefits of neighbourhood cohesion, for mutual support, safety and just plain conviviality. We decided to start by inviting everyone in the area out for a walk — something many of us do regularly, but usually on our own.
We picked a Friday morning in June. But how to let people know? Using the $40 seed grant from Island Futures, we printed up a large poster for the mailbox bulletin board, and 45 smaller flyers, which we hand distributed to every house in the area.
On the day, some 18 people turned up despite the drizzly weather, and after introductions all round we had a lovely hour’s walk exchanging snippets and facts about our neighbourhood. It was satisfying enough that we did it again in July. Then, having scored a Neighbourhood Small Grant, we planned a Loop BBQ for late in August, to which at least 45 people came, met, ate, talked, and heard about emergency prep.
Six months in, we’ve hatched a private email list, and a basic blog site (mcgillvaryloop.wordpress.com) to post resources and local news.
We’re looking to make neighbourhood walks a regular event, and there might be another NSG eat-fest in our future. But it all kicked off with a walk!
