Efforts continue towards developing a formalized neighbourhoods structure for the city of North Battleford.
The city’s CPTED Review Committee (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) presented their update on the efforts that have been going on over the last several months. Those efforts have included getting feedback from residents through surveys conducted in person and online, as well as through informal conversation as part of community engagement efforts.
There had been over 14 different events in North Battleford in which the initiative was presented, with more than a thousand people attending those. Those events ranged from Wintertainment in February to community block parties, summer barbeques put on by Leisure Services, and the two Street Mural projects.
A total of 254 surveys were filled out and collected on the topic; 151 of them online and 103 in person.
According to the results presented at council, 75 per cent saw the benefits of having formalized neighbourhoods, 83 per cent agreed with boundaries drawn up on a draft map presented, 64 per cent feel they know their neighbours, 93 per cent feel it is important to know your neighbours, 25 per cent attended a block party in North Battleford, and 76 per cent think the public should be involved in naming the neighbourhoods.
A map was provided as part of the survey in which the boundaries of 12 portions of the city were presented as potential formalized neighbourhoods.
Neighbourhood 1 is Killdeer, which is already a well-established neighbourhood in the city. The proposed boundary would follow the one already in existence.
Similarly, Neighbourhood 2 is Fairview Heights and it would also see relatively few changes.
Neighbourhood 3 is Maher Park, located on the farthest west side bordered by Territorial Drive. Next door to the east is McIntosh Park, named after the former Lieutenant Governor Irwin McIntosh.
Neighbourhood 5 is Centennial Park and would include the area surrounding the park to the north.
Neighbourhood 6 would be the area located between the Maher Park neighbourhood and 100th Street. A name would be determined by the public and some being considered include Maple Ridge, Kinsmen Park and Railway Heights.
The area south of Centennial Park between 100th Street and 107th is commonly referred to as the “east side,” but a more formalized name would also be needed for the area. For the moment, it is known as Neighbourhood 7.
To the immediate east of that location is Neighbourhood 8, which already exists by the name College Heights.
Neighbourhood 9 south of 102nd street, which includes the hospital as well as Connaught School, is also often referred to as the “east side”; a name for this neighbourhood would also have to be determined. East of that neighbourhood would be Neighbourhood 10, Deanscroft.
The final neighbourhood, number 11, is Riverview, which is already well-known and well-established south of the railway tracks. The 12th and final portion of the map, the southeast quadrant, is not included in the neighbourhood structure as it is mainly a commercial and industrial area.
According to city planner Ryan Mackrell, the next step will be to name the neighbourhoods and for council to formally adopt both the names and boundaries. Administration would then continue work with the public to recognize and use the boundaries and names to increase the neighbourhood units in North Battleford.
“A lot of the suggestions in here come out of the consultation we’ve done with the public so far,” said Mackrell. As well, Mackrell said they have consulted with the city archives to research the historical names for the various areas.
Councillor Kelli Hawtin asked what the next steps would be once the neighbourhoods are actually formed with names. Mackrell responded the next thing they want to do is get people familiar with them, and familiar with their neighbourhoods in their daily lives.
A lot of promotions and events would be planned. Mackrell also noted Killdeer and Fairview have entry features, so those are a possibility as well.
Mayor Ryan Bater added that “creating a greater sense of community in the sense of more interaction.”
Another next step could be the formation of neighbourhood associations. City manager Jim Puffalt explained those would involve neighbourhood councils, that the city could engage with to talk about the needs of the neighbourhood and items that need to be addressed. But some solid terms of reference would be needed before they move forward.
