The city of Nanaimo donated mulch for our alleyway beautification process. We had neighbours clean streets, pick up litter, weed, plant flowers, and native plants that are easy to maintain.
Why alleyway beautification?
The findings demonstrate neighbourhood greening and beautification efforts can be an effective tool for crime prevention and control in communities. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/eco.2017.0008
This research suggests that engaging with natural beauty may have an impact on well-being.
We used the funds from our grant to purchase meat from a young local regenerative farmer Glassen Farms and another farmer Moose and Bean Farm for vegetables. We had just enough food. Residents were encouraged to bring a dish to share, and most did.
A neighbour volunteered their backyard, 3 barbecues, tables, chairs, tents, kids’ toys, multiple fridges to store food, and a fire pit. This was very generous and helpful.
The local neighbourhood group Nanaimo Old City kindly promoted the gathering on their Instagram, Facebook, and email list. I printed out flyers and dropped them in every neighbours mailbox as well. Photos can be seen on their platforms of the event.
New neighbours met more established neighbours, neighbours met neighbours they had never seen even living close to one another for 5 or 10 years. We are very happy with how this event went. Communication is enhanced for residents who live along the alleyway which we hope will assist crime prevention.
