How long have you lived in Bridgeland-Riverside? What do you like about living here?
As young adults, Neil bought his first house here 24 years ago and Christy rented a house with a friend during the same time. We met in 2007 and a few years later Christy moved in with Neil to his house. A few years into our marriage, and pregnant with our first child, we moved out of the neighbourhood for a bigger house in the NW suburbs. Missing our little house and the community we decided to move back 4 years later in 2017. No plans to leave again as we love it here. Bridgeland is like living in a small town where you know all your neighbours and everyone is looking out for each other.
How did you get involved in volunteering in our community?
We are newbies when it come to volunteering in the community. Neil met Ali McMillan when he built the deck in the middle of the Plaza and we got to know her during the process. When she was looking for help with Arctic Adventure, Neil & Christy volunteered.
What kind of volunteer activities have you done?
Neil volunteered to help build props and Christy designed the logo, graphics and managed the Instagram account for the Arctic Adventure.
What ideas do you have for volunteering in the future?
Using our given talents and abilities, with building and graphic design, we are open to helping out in that capacity again. Or perhaps getting our two children involved in helping out in the neighbourhood too.
What would you tell others about volunteering? What do you like most about volunteering for the Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association?
It is a great opportunity to get to know more of your neighbours and it’s nice knowing you’ve helped out, in some small capacity, to help build this great neighbourhood.
During the pandemic are you still able to do volunteer activities in a safe manner?
Yes. Christy has always worked from home so providing design for events or other projects is a natural fit. Neil built his props at his shop and delivered them safely curbside. Everything else has been outside and masked when needed.
What is a hidden gem in Bridgeland-Riverside that you have discovered and would like to share?
We frequent all the parks in the community quite often with the kids or we head to St. Patrick’s Island for more of an adventure. We also have a nice run or dog walk loop we do often (when we are not in a deep freeze). Up the stairs at the top of 6th street, along the top of the ridge in Renfrew, down to the pathway system behind Telus Spark and the Zoo, up the path to Tom Campbell’s Hill and back down along McDougall Road and through Murdoch Park. Stop there for a bit of stretch. It is about a 6 – 7 km loop.