Kanata Community Associations: What happens in your community?

Have you ever wondered where those springtime flower baskets, new bike trails, and community skating rinks that just seem to appear out of no where every year come from? Or the events and activities that give your neighbourhood that sense of community, and consideration for safety – there must be someone behind the curtain organizing it all, but who? Well the answer to that question is easy enough – it’s your Kanata Community Associations. Your next question may be, what exactly IS a community association? A community association is a “nongovernmental association of participating members of a community, such as a neighbourhood…” so essentially, volunteer members of your community, working together to ensure that your neighbourhood is a safe, beautiful, and fun place to be.

In Kanata, there are a multitude of smaller community associations, as the Kanata area is broken into smaller neighbourhood sections (such as Bridlewood, or Kanata Lakes). These organizations are dedicated to maintaining safe neighbourhoods, focusing on maintaining safe bike/walking trails, bus stops, etc. while also engaging the community in fun activities such as skating rinks, community centres, skateboard parks, and swimming opportunities. These associations are dedicated to the improvement of their local community all year round, and hold monthly meetings where current and upcoming events, projects, and concerns are discussed.

You may be asking, “Why are community associations important?” It’s quite a simple question, in reality. These associations are the foundation of the local communities. They ensure the safety of their community, involving themselves in neighbourhood watches, emphasize the importance of community safety across the city, including but not limited to; moving unsafe bus stops, and requesting further paved pathways to help keep pedestrians off busy roads and/or private property. The associations are also responsible for the implementation of recreational sports programs for children and youth, as well as holiday events and fundraisers within the community. These community projects and activities are a cornerstone to every neighbourhood, and are an important aspect of ensuring the continuation of city development, and unity. For more information in regards to the community association in your area, take a look at their websites and/or attend the next community association meeting to get active and involved in the goings-on in your neighbourhood.