Hollymount Block Party – June 8, 2025
On a sunny Sunday afternoon in June, we hosted a block party at our home on Hollymount Drive in Richmond. We invited members of our own Block Watch group, as well as the members of the adjacent Block Watch group north of us. Thus, a total of about 30 households were invited.
The block party was well attended by members of the two Block Watch groups, as well as by other neighbours who walked by and became interested in knowing about the Block Watch program.
During the event, we had some special guests:
Melaney Gleeson-Lyall, a member of the Musqueam community – from the Point family. She shared stories of the Musqueam people in Steveston, particularly at Garry Point, where her father and his ancestors lived in a fishing village for thousands of years, and were displaced in the 1950s to the Musqueam Indian Reserve #1 in southwest Vancouver. The Musqueam people were known as the greatest fisherman, sustainably harvesting the salmon runs on the river Stó:lō for generations. The children sat in front of Melaney during her singing, drumming and story telling, and were quite enthralled by it all.
Tova Gaster, a staff member from Urban Bounty, the food security NGO in Richmond. Tova spoke about the Community Gardens program, of which there is one adjacent to our neighbourhood on Railway Avenue. She also spoke about the Fruit Gleaning Program, where volunteers help to harvest excess fruit from Richmond residences to distribute it to people in need. She also provided information on some interesting gardening workshops being offered by Urban Bounty in the coming months.
There were also three volunteers from the Richmond RCMP Block Watch Program, who set up a gazebo on the front lawn with information, stickers and games. The gazebo was a popular place during the event.
The neighbours from outside our Block Watch groups received information from the Block Watch volunteers about how to start a group in their own section of the neighbourhood.
There were two RCMP officers who came by in their squad cars for a time. This was a nice surprise, because we didn’t expect that the RCMP would have time or cars available to come by the event. The officers invited the children to sit in one of their cars, learn something about all the buttons inside, and briefly run the siren. They loved that!
The block party was attended by neighbours of all generations, from elders to babies, young parents, singles, couples and empty nesters. Many neighbours brought food to share and helped with setting up and taking down the tables and chairs. It was a real community effort. We did learn that next time we need more hot dogs!
It was a time of meeting new neighbours, re-acquainting with long-time neighbours and sharing a meal together. A memorable moment was when one young neighbour, aged 8 years old, said excitedly, “This is a great party! I love the food! I loved the drumming and singing and Melaney’s stories!”
All in all, a great time was had by all – about 40 people attended during the course of the event. Many expressed a hope to attend another one next year.
We are grateful for the NSG grant, which allowed us to purchase supplies, staple food items, and provide an honorarium to the Indigenous Witness. The goals of building community and enhancing neighbourhood safety were achieved, with the support of the NSG, Richmond Cares/Richmond Gives and the Vancouver Foundation.
Thank you!
Hych’ka!
