This Saturday, Aug. 31, is Good Neighbour Day in St. Albert — a day to bring neighbourhoods together to celebrate connection and community.

In the spirit of Good Neighbour Day, we asked a few of our Neighbourhood Connectors about their good neighbours.

Here’s what they said!

Q: What makes a good neighbour? 

• Good neighbours are friendly, helpful, and keep an eye out for each other. I feel very lucky to have good neighbours that I am confident to tell my kids in case of emergency they could go to for help!
  - Krystal, Erin Ridge
• Someone who is friendly and takes notice of their neighbours - whether it's offering to help with something, checking in on how they're doing, or even paying a compliment about their garden. Our favorite neighbours are people who have become friends that just pop over to connect, who we can share an impromptu meal with, who babysit our kids and take care of our house when we're away.
  - Vanessa, North Ridge
• A good neighbour is someone you can rely on. Babysitting, lending ingredients, backyard badminton, and driveway chats are all hallmarks of a good neighbour. As small as those seem to be, they add up and form a network of trust, compassion, and safety. Good neighbours will be there for you during a loss and celebrate alongside you during success.  
  - A neighbour in North Ridge

Q: Have your neighbours ever done anything that made your day?

• In general, there have been many times a neighbour has helped clear snow, mowed the lawn, or thrown a wayward toy back to our yard! In our first year when we were taking out some landscaping pieces with makeshift tools a neighbour saw and kindly ran over with an axe and helped us remove a small tree properly which was a very unexpected but appreciated surprise!
  - Krystal, Erin Ridge
• There are so many instances it's hard to write them all down! Getting to know my neighbours through planning our block parties and events like our North Ridge Neighbour Nights. It's so inspiring to see everyone's creativity come to life and share with our families and neighbours.
  - Vanessa, North Ridge
• I still remember when my street first held a Block Party back in 2011. Being that young and seeing all those connections being made right in front of my home was eye-opening and is a feeling I still feel when connecting with my neighbourhood and community today!
  - A neighbour in North Ridge

Q: How were you welcomed into your neighbourhood?

• When we crossed paths outside we chatted, were offered phone numbers in case of emergency, and added to the private Facebook group for the street. Now as a Neighbourhood Connector we try to appear on a new neighbour's doorstep in their first week with a small welcome gift in hand, a welcome package printout with a brief overview of who we are and what activities our street does, and the most recent copy of our street's newsletter to ensure that everyone receives a similar warm welcome!
  - Krystal, Erin Ridge
• We moved to North Ridge during Halloween and it was such a great opportunity to get out and meet our neighbors! We were also so thankful for the playground where we met many of our neighbors (now friends) through our kids. Our church and schools were also incredibly helpful in making connections ❤️
  - Vanessa, North Ridge
• I was about 5 years old when my family moved to North Ridge. We were one of the first families on our crescent, so I was always eager to meet new neighbours, especially if they had kids. It was still dusty, and there were no fences for what seemed like miles. So, I did what any community-minded 5-year-old would do and ran across the undeveloped dirt to wave at new families through their back screen door. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if the fences were never put up. Would we have had daily Block Parties right behind our homes?
  - A neighbour in North Ridge

We couldn’t agree more! 

If you have a neighbour who has helped you or others in a time of need, or who has shown leadership to help make your neighbourhood feel safe, connected and friendly, consider nominating them for the Good Neighbour Recognition Program.

To find out what’s happening in your neighbourhood on August 31, 2024:

View the Good Neighbour Day Event page

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Related Pages

Good Neighbour Recognition Program ›

Block Parties ›

Little Free Libraries ›