The Dunsmuir Neighbourhood Association did it again! Between light rain and sunbursts, close to 150 residents spent time chatting, playing board games, lawn games and painting rocks at their third block party.
Live music and storytelling set the ambiance as MP Brad Vis and City Councillors dropped by to say hello during the Saturday afternoon event, strolling by the Windebank Students Market and a few vendor’s boots.
“There was something for everyone,” said Pascale-Sara Frenette, President of the Dunsmuir Neighbourhood Association.
The association organized the event to offer a gathering space to residents, known in sociology as a “Third Place.” A place where people spend time between home (first place) and work (second place).
They are sites where ideas are exchanged, people have a good time, and relationships are built. Third Places can be recurring activities, monthly meetings, etc.
According to Frenette, this year’s goal was to offer free attendance raffle, activities and a free community lunch, partly sponsored by generous donations from Mission City Pizza, the Junction’s Tim Hortons and Save-On-Foods.
This Responsive Neighbourhood Small Grant project was funded by the Vancouver Foundation and administered by The Association of Neighbourhood Houses BC.
The Dunsmuir Neighbourhood Association classifies as a grassroots movement where ordinary citizens are the central body of the organization’s membership. They believe that impacting change within the local community as a collective action is more potent than individual action.
“Participation comes in all shapes and forms. We hold every bit of action toward neighbourhood engagement in high regard,” said Frenette.
The group has many projects, including becoming a registered society, leasing a green space from the city, holding a booth during MissionFest and hosting a fourth block party in October! You can learn more about them via their website.
https://dunsmuirneighbour.wixsite.com/my-site-3.