Making Our Neighbourhoods A Better Place
Dear Neighbour,
Today, we pause. We remember that one year has passed since the pandemic was declared.
We have lost family, friends and many front-line workers.
Many neighbours go on with the day to day as best we can. And the only thing I can say with certainty about what the future holds, is that it is up to us.
Amidst the grief, there is also tremendous courage, hope and tireless empathy in action. Some of the work ahead is policy based, some of it is in simple acts, some of it will be difficult as it requires letting go of entrenched beliefs in an old status quo that caused harm for so very many and for so long.
In today’s newsletter, you will find a few ways you can help make our experiences as neighbours in Ward 3 safer and more vibrant.
Yours in Community,
Nrinder Nann
Ward 3 City Councillor
MAKING OUR NEIGHBOURHOODS A BETTER PLACE
The Ward 3 team has developed three ways residents can help make our neighbourhoods safer and more vibrant. We are on a mission to increase our urban canopy by growing 200 trees in our backyards. To improve safety and accessibility, we’d like your input on which sidewalks need fixing and where we need more bicycle parking. Follow this link to the webpage or, click on the links below to be part of making our neighbourhood a better place.
Let’s Grow 200 new trees across Ward 3!
The City of Hamilton is committed to expanding our urban tree canopy from 21% to 30% in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change. In Ward 3, our tree canopy is 17.9% and many of our front lots are not large enough to accommodate the City’s street tree program. We need your help to address the deficiency in Ward 3.
My office has purchased 200 native species trees to plant this year in your backyards. Register here to receive a free tree for your yard, plus educational information on how to plant it, care for it and set it up for success while contributing to greener, healthier futures for all!
It is my hope that we will have all 200 trees allocated to Ward 3 homes before Earth Day. As of today, we already have over 90 sign ups. The last day to register is April 16th. Order yours here today!
Safer Sidewalks
Just last week, walking home from school with my kiddo, she tripped on an elevated sidewalk tile while riding her scooter. She bumped her knee and is fine now, but that tile needs work!
We regularly hear from parents with strollers, folks using mobility devices and those out for a walk and some fresh air about the need to ensure safe sidewalks, all year round. That’s why I allocated $75,000 to repair sidewalks in the neighbourhoods near Lucy Day, Birge Park and in neighbourhoods north of Barton in 2019.
Here’s how you can help us pin-point where the next round of investment in sidewalk repairs and replacements will go.
If you notice cracked sidewalks in need or repair or tiles that have lifted over time and pose a hazard:
Take a picture
Jot down the nearest street address adjacent to the sidewalk needing attention.
Fill out this form and submit it.
Depending on the condition of the sidewalk, it will either be smoothed out to remove the trip hazard, be patched to repair a crack or replaced all together.
More Bike Parking
The City continues to invest in cycling infrastructure and in order to promote use, we know that we also need to provide safe places for parking and locking. As you enjoy the cycle tracks across the Ward, take note of where additional bike loops would support cycling. In the coming week, we want to hear where you wish you could park your bike!
Ward 3 Foul Odour Survey
Poor outdoor air quality is a concern for many Ward 3 residents, and when the outdoor air you breathe also smells terrible, that is odour pollution. That’s why the Ward 3 office has partnered with a student intern from Niagara College's Environmental Management and Assessment program to study foul odour impacts in our neighbourhoods.
We want to know about your foul odour experiences so we can work on tools to first track and monitor this kind of pollution and then to develop better policies to address those odours at their source.
We also want to know how the experience of foul odours affects your daily life.
Does it stop you and your family from enjoying your backyard, front yard, porch or balcony?
Does it prevent you from getting out to enjoy the neighbourhood?
Do you avoid opening your windows for fresh air because the air is not actually so fresh?
Does it cause breathing problems or make your eyes sting?
We want to hear from you!
You can find a survey link here or you can email the office.
SAVE THE DATE - Community Events
Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre is moving to Ward 3
Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre is non-profit, community-governed, and provides multi-disciplinary, interprofessional healthcare framed by the social determinants of health. They are relocating from downtown to Cannon St. at Ashley.
They are finalizing the design of the new centre and want to take an opportunity to connect with Ward 3 neighbours and begin the work of building relationships, sharing information and getting your input.
Join virtually by Zoom or Phone on Thursday, March 25th, 2021 at 6:30pm.
Zoom Details:
Meeting ID: 952 0211 8685
Meeting Password:826179
Phone In Option: +1 647 558 0588
For more information please call 905-522-3233 or email their admin office.
Visioning Safe Streets for Barton St.
The Barton BIA invites you to participate in a discussion about the future of Barton Street and how to advocate for safety, walkability and livability on March 30th from 6:30-8:00pm. To register, email the Barton Village BIA here or call 289-682-9472.
Call for Nominations - Senior of the Year Awards
Do you know a Ward 3 or Hamilton resident aged 65+ that has enriched the social, cultural or civic life of our community? Perhaps you know a resident aged 15-24 who spends time enriching the lives of seniors in our community?
The call for nominations for the City of Hamilton’s 26th Annual Senior of the Year Awards is now open. The deadline for nominations is May 28, 2021. For more information about the awards program and to submit a nomination, click here.