There are spaces available for community programming in Edmonton.

Neighbourhood programs are fun ways to promote community pride, create a sense of community unity, and can help with safety and crime prevention by encouraging community members to get to know one another.

Planning Your Program

Define your organization's overall goals for the activity:

  • What do you want to achieve with a program?
  • What opportunities will this program create for your organization?
  • What are the needs and assets in your community?
  • What are the board's expectations: to make money, lose money, break even or subsidize the program?

Create an Organizing Committee:

  • Depending on the size of the program, the program director may be the chair of this committee
  • Find members with talent, time, commitment, and creativity in the following areas:
    • Finance
    • Marketing and communications
    • Site/facility prep
    • Volunteer/staff coordination
    • Contingency planning

Identify and define what program you are planning:

  • Create/update your annual plan
  • Research what has been done in the past
  • Ask what neighbouring communities are doing
  • Look for potential partnerships
  • Determine what activities are popular
  • Consider your demographics - age, marital status, cultural diversity and so on

Determine the location for the program:

  • You will have to fill out an application form if using a public space

There may be costs associated with the permits and civic services required depending on the location.

Program Wrap-Up

Volunteer Celebration

Consider the best way to recognize your volunteers after the program (for example, host a small celebration at the very end, showcase/thank your volunteers in your community newsletter, invite volunteers to an annual volunteer gala and so on).

Evaluation

How do you plan to use the evaluation information? This will help determine who to collect information from (participants, committee, and/or volunteers) and how to collect it.

  • Do you feel it is worthwhile to run this program again? What went well? What could be improved? What did you learn?
  • How will you present the evaluation to the board (verbal report, written report, statistical report)?
  • Record finalized budget.
  • Create an information/learning package so that future planning committees can benefit. Give to the community league board to keep for reference.

Public Spaces

Venues available for events in public spaces, parkland, or on City land.

Bookings & Event Rentals

Planning a meeting, social gathering, wedding or corporate getaway?