Block Party Challenge
Calling all Excelsior Springs residents! The residents of Excelsior Springs are challenged to hold a block party in every neighborhood or subdivision between May 1 and Halloween.
To promote social connection, the City of Excelsior Springs is encouraging our residents to get to know each other through neighborhood gatherings. These can be small and informal or a big production. The main thing is that you are spending time with your neighbors.
What kind of gathering suits your situation? Here’s a list of ideas to get started:
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Invite neighbors for coffee and donuts in your driveway on Saturday morning.
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Start a Flamingo Friday gathering in your neighborhood. Invite neighbors to bring a drink and a lawn chair to your driveway on Friday evening from 7-8 p.m. (or however long you feel comfortable) Mark your driveway with plastic flamingos.
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Invite fellow dog walkers to walk together.
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Host a dinner party or cookout.
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Place a firepit in the driveway and invite neighbors to roast marshmallows.
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Create a “Parent Relief Station” in your driveway on Halloween. Provide water bottles and snacks for parents.
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Plan a big block party and invite the whole neighborhood! (Get some other neighbors to help. Getting to know each other at smaller gatherings will help you find a core group who can help with planning.)
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When registering your block party or neighborhood gathering for the official challenge, remember that attendance by a minimum of 4 neighboring households constitutes a gathering.
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Door hanger invitations are available at the Com Dev office (photo)
Tips from the Surgeon General: The US Surgeon General has declared isolation and loneliness to be epidemics in the United States. Connecting with our neighbors is an effective strategy in combatting isolation and loneliness. The Surgeon General’s webpage has lots of tips and even a booklet called