Ideas & inspiration blog

When winter settles over Kitchener, the city’s neighbourhood rinks come alive as spaces where neighbours connect, families play, and lifelong memories are made. These outdoor rinks are a cornerstone of the city’s winter recreation program, offering free access to skating and a chance to embrace the season in a uniquely Canadian way. 

For the organizers, the Sun and Set Volleyball Tournament and Community BBQ was a love letter to their neighbourhood. They grew up in Chandler and describe the Community Centre as the central hub, where youth with shared experiences come together, have fun, and feel at home.

On a sunny summer evening this summer, neighbours gathered at Timm Park for an exciting step in the creation of the Neighbourhood Mosaic, a LoveMyHood mural project designed to reflect the spirit of the local community. Project leads, staff and community members came together to share ideas and stories, helping shape a piece of art that will soon brighten the park with colour and meaning.

We spend a lot of time driving and sometimes we drive a little too fast. Avery, a Cedar Hill neighbour became more aware of this while on maternity leave.

In late May of 2025, something special happened on Samuel Street—a neighbourhood get-together that brought people out of their homes and into conversation, fun, and community spirit. 

A passionate group of residents at the Beyond Housing Community, off Bridgeport Road, transformed an underused green space into a vibrant learning hub for kids, gardeners and those who just like to visit. With support from the LoveMyHood program, City staff helped with planning and funding, but it was the residents who led the way! 

In Kitchener, disc golf is bringing people together in a new way. The Grand River Disc Golf Association, a volunteer-run group, is passionate about promoting the sport and building accessible courses in the community.

Busy days of work, school, and activities can leave little room for simple things like stopping to chat with neighbours. That was the inspiration that sparked the idea for the Doon South Meet and Mingle. Mukul Verma, one of the event organizers, was speaking with a neighbour who organized the local Facebook group and was told that most of the members had never met in person.

We all have our own stories from the COVID-19 pandemic. But beyond those experiences is a collective story of perseverance, community, and caring. Together those stories inspired local artist Brenda Mabel Reid’s project: From Behind the Mask. 

You can find neighbours sharing books through Little Libraries in almost every neighbourhood. While the intentions of these libraries are good, they often lack books by Black, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQIA+ authors.