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Lake Trail Neighbourhood Day goes Saturday

Public safety and “What is a community school?” are the topics for the second annual Lake Trail Neighbourhood Day this Saturday.

It happens from 10 to 2 at Lake Trail School and is organized by Lake Trail Neighbourhood Connections (LTNC). This year’s event will combine fun, hands on activities, free strawberry shortcake and opportunities for discussion and dialogue at the public safety and community school forums.

Lake Trail residents along with school and other community partners have been working hard with the LTNC steering committee, planning and taking specific actions to improve the neighbourhood since the event last year, where residents created a vision for the Lake Trail area that has guided LTNC’s work.

“Last year's event set in motion plans for establishing a community garden at Lake Trail School, opening up the school for more community programs for youth and families and addressing public safety concerns," says project co-ordinator Samantha Garstang.  "The community garden project is now well underway, community programs are now operating out of Lake Trail School and a community safety strategy has been developed.”

The event schedule runs as follows:

10 — Welcome and Opening Ceremony;

10:30 to noon — Forum on “What is a Community School?” with a panel of local community school representatives;

Noon to 12:45 — CVRD composting workshop with Patty Rose;

12:30 to 2 — Forum to kick off the public safety Initiative facilitated by David Stapley.

Residents will be asked to identify what safety concerns they have and where they are happening in the neighbourhood to create a public safety map of the area. The map will be used to help focus actions where they are needed.

The RCMP has partnered with LTNC to support the implementation of the safety strategy with residents in the neighbourhood.

“We have been laying the foundation for a year, and are happy to be at the action phase of the project. With a steering committee, garden committee, public safety task force team in place, and the Incorporation process underway, we are seeing really positive outcomes from last year’s visioning process,” says steering committee member Kathy Birkett.

Throughout the day, there will be family-friendly activities. There will be a barbecue with food for purchase with proceeds going toward Lake Trail School students. There will also be Community Way dollars for purchase to raise money for the Lake Trail Leadership student’s end of year trip, with incentives for larger donations.

This is a free event. Donations to the garden will be gratefully accepted, just stop by the Lake Trail School ‘garden group’ table to drop off your donation and check out the quality beaded items for sale.

LTNC is working with the City of Courtenay, Courtenay Recreation and the LINC, CVRD, Boys and Girls Club, School District 71 and Lake Trail School, RCMP, Morrison Streamkeepers, LUSH Valley, John Howard Society, Our Big Earth Media Co., and other partners to create meaningful programming.

For more information, to participate, or to help, contact Samantha Garstang, Project Coordinator – Lake Trail Neighbourhood Connections, Lake Trail School, 805 Willemar Ave., Courtenay, B.C. V9N 3L7, 250-334-3168 to leave a message or by e-mail laketrailvision@gmail.com.

Like Lake Trail Neighbourhood Connections on Facebook to receive updates and information about the project or see their website www.laketrailconnect.ca.

— Lake Trail Neighbourhood Connections