City officials say they are pleased with the response they received to their heavily-promoted Block Party weekend, lasting from June 9 to 11.
While there were only a couple of block parties held that weekend, Ryan Mackrell of the city’s planning department reported they have received four or five additional applications for more block parties later on in the year.
Another block party was scheduled for the following weekend, and the weekend after that as well, he told council. More are expected for July and August.
The city has promoted block parties as a way for people to be able to get to know each another in their neighborhoods, encouraging greater community safety.
In advance of Block Party Weekend, city council had voted to waive the $25 permit fee for the rest of the year.
For Mackrell, he was satisfied the main goals of Block Party Weekend were met: that residents knew that block parties were encouraged and that they were actively organizing them.
“We’re getting the word out there that it’s not so hard, it can be done, and getting people out and meeting each other,” said Mackrell at council.
“I think we’re on the right path we want to get to. We had to pick a weekend so that’s the one we picked, but at the end it’s just trying to get people out there to have them, and I think we’ve accomplished that.”
As for a grand prize of 150 burgers from No Frills Food that was being offered to one of the lucky block party entrants, Walker Drive was the winner.
