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Do you love your neighbourhood? Your neighbours? Living in Sylvan Lake? Then you are the perfect Neighbourhood Connector! 

You care about your neighbourhood and our community and make efforts to bring people together, you understand the value of knowing and being connected with others. A strongly connected community fosters a sense of belonging, improves personal safety, provides emotional and mental support, and helps children and youth thrive. This all begins at the neighbourhood level – with someone like you! 

Why Should I Join? 

You are already doing it! Neighbourhood Connectors are people who naturally seek and build relationships with their neighbours. By becoming a Neighbourhood Connector, you are joining a larger community effort that aims to build a sense of community and connectedness on every street, in Sylvan Lake.  

As a Neighbourhood Connector, you: 

  • Know some or most of your neighbours 

  • May help them connect to one another through social gatherings such as Block Parties   

  • Share your neighbourhood building ideas with others 

Let’s do it together! 

By signing up as a Neighbourhood Connector you get access to ideas, resources, and a supportive team, including:  

  1. Welcome Package: Helps get you started with a t-shirt, helpful resources such as a template for a letter of introduction and some Neighbourhood Connectors swag to gift your neighbours 
  2. Direct Connection to Resources : Get connected to resources to make your neighbourhood a great place to live. This includes access to Neighbourhood Network gatherings, mentors, information sessions, online tools and more. 

Getting started 

As a Neighbourhood Connector, you are encouraged to: 

  • Introduce yourself as the Neighbourhood Connector 

  • Make a Neighbourhood Contact List 

  • Commit to connect with 3 - 6 neighbours  

  • Invite others to help 

  • Help neighbours connect with each other

REGISTER NOW!

Do you have a neighbour that goes above and beyond for the neighbourhood? Let's recognize them!

Fill out this form to nominate a neighbour, and WCC will give them a special shout-out!

Block parties are a fun way to meet your neighbours. When neighbours know each other, we create a safer, more connected neighbourhood.

Register your block party

  • Complete the Block Party Registration form, print it and return it, at least 21 days before the date of your event
  • Don't forget to share your block party photos and stories with us

Street closure and open spaces

  • If you require a street closure for your block party, complete the Traffic Interruption Application, and return it with your block party registration form
  • If you are applying for a road closure, ensure 75% of neighbours affected, sign a Permission to Block the Street Form. Submit this form with your block party registration form
  • If you want to book a picnic shelter or tournament house, contact Facility Booking in the Recreation, Culture & Tourism department, at 403 887 2199

Helpful planning resources

Planning a block party doesn't need to be a lot of work. Get a group of neighbours together for a meeting, and share the tasks. Here are some resources to help you get started:

Activity Kits

  • Block party activity kits, full of games and equipment, are available to those who have registered a block party. We also have a tent that you can borrow
  • Block Party Activity Kit

Community Coalitions

Do you have a passion for community development? Join Town Council and local agencies at the monthly Community Hub meetings! Discuss the five pillars of community: Food, transportation, safety, housing, and youth. 

  • Held on the third Thursday of the month | September - June
  • 10:00 AM
  • Flipside Youth Centre | 4725 43 Street

IMPACT Central Alberta is working on family violence and bullying prevention plans across our region.

  • This is a partnership between the Town of Sylvan Lake and Human Services Community Safety grant
  • For times and locations of meetings, please view "Coalitions and Advisory Meetings" on the Town Happenings Calendar

We're social

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Helping to grow great kids!

  • SPARC is an AHS Addiction Prevention Coalition
  • Raises awareness about Developmental Assets/Relationships, the building blocks of healthy youth development
  • For times and locations of meetings, please view "Coalitions and Advisory Meetings" on the Town Happenings Calendar

Anyone who wishes to participate in these discussions is welcome!

Discussions on:

  • community trends
  • programs
  • events

Join Interagency:

Health and Wellness 

The Health & Wellness Healing Hub is located along the east side of 47 Ave and 52 St. This Hub is designated specifically to support residents’ health and wellness.  The space features a gazebo, Zen gardens, a contemplation space, wisdom circle, beautiful shrubbery, artwork, positive messaging on the path ways, bird houses, programs with teaching/learning opportunities, and much more. 

This space for our community provides solace and healing from all the trauma of life challenges. A volunteer subcommittee assists with park maintenance, grant writing, and ideas for wellness activities within the Hub. All funding for the Health & Wellness Healing Hub was obtained through grant dollars.

A rock snake is typically a line of painted rocks placed end-to-end in a public space. It is a simple yet powerful community art project.

The rock snake is coming to the Health & Wellness Healing Hub. Participate in the August 2025 snake naming contest.

Why have a Sylvan Lake rock snake:

Community Engagement & Togetherness
• Encourages participation from people of all ages, especially children and families.
• Fosters a sense of belonging as everyone contributes to a shared project.
• Builds community pride by creating something beautiful and unique together.

Creativity & Expression
• Offers a creative outlet for individuals to paint and personalize their rocks.
• Allows people to express messages of hope, kindness, or humour.

Mental Health & Well-being
• Painting and placing rocks can be therapeutic and calming.
• Encourages outdoor activity and mindfulness.
• Promotes positive messages that uplift people

Low-Cost, Eco-Friendly Art
• Uses natural or recycled materials.
• Requires minimal funding or maintenance.
• Can be a sustainable, long-lasting installation.

Local Identity
• Can be featured on social media or community websites.
• Adds to the character and charm of parks, trails, or town centers

Men, you are not alone. Needing help is not a sign of weakness, it takes great strength to get help when you need it. 

  • Mental Health Suicide Helpline: 1 877 303 2642
  • Addiction Services Helpline: 1 866 332 2322
  • Family Violence Info Line | 310 1818
  • Kids Help Phone | 1 800 668 6868
  • Sylvan Lake FCSS | 1403 887 1137 Ext. 425
  • Mental Health & Addictions | 403 887 2241, Press 4

We have many spaces dedicated to fruit and vegetables all around town. For more information check out the Sylvan Lake Parks page.

Community Social Master Plan

The Community Social Master Plan is based on the findings of the 2015 Sylvan Lake Social Needs Assessment. The plan focuses on four areas to support a safe and caring community where residents enjoy a healthy quality of life:

  • Housing, Income, and Employment
  • Health and Wellness
  • Transportation

  • Community Safety and Engagement

Progress

Goal: Sylvan Lake has a balanced housing variety.

  • Creation of a Community Housing Committee;
  • Develop strategies to increase the supply of housing for affordable and low-income households and for those experiencing short-term homelessness.

Goal: Residents can meet their basic needs.

  • Have in-person employment and income support services in our community.

Goal: Sylvan Lake is a community with supports and services that promote good health and well-being for residents.

  • Increase access to health services in our community;
  • Increase availability of free or low-cost recreational activities;
  • Improve the public's awareness of healthy food choices;
  • Improve access to local mental health and addiction supports and service
  • Some resources include: 

Goal: Sylvan Lake is a community with a range of transportation options for residents and visitors.

  • Identify affordable transportation options for low-income seniors and residents with limited mobility;
  • Research affordable public transportation for residents including stops in Sylvan Lake and Red Deer;
  • Local organizations have an opportunity to offer affordable group trips through the purchase of a community bus.

Goal: Residents feel safe in their homes and in the community.

  • Educate the community, so that residents know how to identify and respond to bullying, harassment, and family violence;
  • Reduce petty crime rates;
  • Improve community response to family violence, and research setting up a women's emergency shelter within town.

Goal: Residents have a sense of belonging in the community.

  • Increase strong and positive social connections in the community;
  • Improve access to volunteer opportunities.

Violence Prevention Brochure: Help for people experiencing violence and for concerned individuals

Board Development for Non-Profit Organizations

We can help with:

  • Referral supports for local non-profit boards
  • Guidance for board development

Learn more about your rights and responsibilities as a board member. Take this online course from Alberta Community Development: Take the course

Contact Community Development