How long have you lived in Bridgeland-Riverside? What do you like about living here?
I have lived here since 2013.We were lucky to find a beautiful house to rent a month after the big flood when very few rentals were available.
Living in walking distance to downtown and to the C-train is a priority for me, so this community is a great fit. The bonuses are the friendly people of all ages, and the beautiful homes and gardens to admire. You may see me walking our cat Josie (more accurately, she walks me).
How did you get involved in volunteering in our community?
I was previously on the board of the Cliff Bungalow-Mission Community Association, so I moved here with an interest in community volunteering. And then my friend Deb Lee, after some gentle nudging, got me excited about getting involved with the BRCA.
What kind of volunteer activities have you done?
I have been a part of the BRCA transportation subcommittee for a while. We work toward making the community safer and more pleasant for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. This includes communicating with various departments at the City and with the Ward 9 office. A fun event many community members helped with was painting the dots on the road at the intersections of 1st Ave at 8a St and 9 St. We completed a project a couple of years ago funded by Alberta Transportation that involved wayfinding for seniors in Riverside, bicycle training for kids, and working with the City on traffic calming at McDougall Ave and 12 St. We’re always looking for new members, so feel free to reach out at transportation@brcacalgary.org.
This year, I facilitated the discussion at a virtual film viewing we hosted in partnership with Third Action Film Festival. Last summer a few of us completed assessments of the parks in the community which laid the groundwork for the parks naming initiative going on now. I have also volunteered for events like bench painting in the park and the community cleanup.
What ideas do you have for volunteering in the future? What interests or excites you?
I would like to collaborate more with other communities in the city so that we can learn from and support each other in enhancing traffic safety. I would also like to help with arts and cultural events in the community.
What would you tell others in the community about volunteering?
Volunteering is a rewarding way to contribute to the community and to meet people. And give only as much time as you can spare…it doesn’t have to be a big long-term commitment.
What do you like most about volunteering for the Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association?
I like volunteering for the BRCA because I meet so many nice folks. I see friendly faces everywhere…for instance, we just bought a house, and it turns out our next-door neighbour is someone I met volunteering at a flyover park event a couple years ago.
What is a hidden gem in Bridgeland-Riverside that you have discovered?
One of my favourite gems is Glitter and Polish, a business at the Piazza. They provide excellent, reasonably-priced manicures and pedicures.