Going gaga for gaga ball on Marl Meadow Court

Don’t get hit - that’s the goal of Gaga ball.

One summer weekend in 2016, the residents of Marl Meadow Court--a small cul-de-sac near Brigadoon Park--closed off their street to build (and play in) a gaga ball pit!

Residents came out to compete in the neighbourhood game, turning the underused green space in the middle of their cul-de-sac into a ball pit that engaged neighbours of all ages. The gaga ball pit can be easily set up and taken down whenever the mood strikes for some friendly camaraderie and competition.

The gaga ball pit was funded by the Placemaking Challenge, an annual competition that offers grants for creative ideas that build gathering places in Kitchener neighbourhoods.

Resident Cam Turner, who pitched the idea, shared that he met several new neighbours who just moved into the neighbourhood while going door to door to invite them to join the fun. Projects like these can provide opportunities for residents to reach out and introduce themselves to members of their community, creating a space for relationships to form.

Members of the neighbourhood have also planted a couple trees on the cul-de-sac, which will remain fixtures in the neighbourhood for years to come.

To learn more about placemaking, view our Placemaking Guide and see how you can create new opportunities to connect with your neighbours.

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