Ryan Reantu, nine, takes a bumpy ride down a slip and slide during a block party recently in Weslake. The party was hosted by Marnie Deschenes with the hopes of creating a closer community. The city says it will review its bylaws, which does not allow party permits.
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Letter to Editor
ShareBlock party policy to be reviewed by city
By Laura Tester - Red Deer Advocate
Published: August 21, 2008 6:50 AM
Updated: August 21, 2008 7:23 AM
Block parties are banned on Red Deer streets because of city rules.
Marnie Deschenes found out when she sought to hold a party on her street in Westlake this summer and applied for a special events permit.
The city’s Engineering Services Department turned it down because of rules concerning street closures.
Deschenes was surprised because she knew that it was easy it get a block party permit in Vancouver, where her sister lives.
In Vancouver, organizers ask neighbours to sign a form stating they are OK with the street being blocked.
Deschenes wrote a letter to City of Red Deer manager Craig Curtis about the importance of block parties.
“You’re looking out for your neighbours and for one another,” Deschenes said. “It’s a fun time to close the road down and for the kids to ride their bikes safely. You’re meeting your neighbours you’ve never met before.”
Deschenes also spoke to Councillor Gail Parks, who approached the rest of council about changing the rules on block parties.
The City of Red Deer allows block parties, although they must be off the street.
“People have been doing them, but they are underground so to speak,” Deschenes said.
Parks is hoping to see an updated policy for block parties so that it’s easier for people to hold them.
“They’re a real community builder,” she said.
Parks also found that other communities — including Medicine Hat and Lethbridge — allowed block parties with a permit.
Engineering Services manager Tom Warder said the city would review its policy, which was developed in the 1980s and updated several years ago.
“Whether we change our policy, I’m not sure,” he said. “It doesn’t mean you can’t have a block party. As long as you have it on private property or maybe use a public park space, which you can book.”
Blocking off streets is discouraged because emergency vehicles might need to get through, Warder said.
“Plus, not everybody on the block wants to participate. They may want access to the street.”
Deschenes had sent out a flyer to neighbours a couple months before the party on Aug. 16. She said she was allowed to hold it because the city would be reviewing the issue.
“The (city) said go ahead with it and put up your own barricades in the form of sawhorses,” she said.
About 90 people of all ages turned out for the children’s carnival and potluck barbecue.
Contact Laura Tester at ltester@reddeeradvocate.com.
