Train Station Project in the Works

Check out the newest post on the Train Station blog.

Train Station Revitalization Meeting

Thank you to the 30 residents who attended last night's meeting at West Park School. Special thanks to Mayor McMullan, Paul Chapman, and Don Rickers for coming and sharing their perspectives and thoughts. It was a great meeting where we were able to discuss the future plans for the St. Catharines Train Station. Please read through the meeting minutes for all the comments and suggestions that were made.
The next step is to meet with the community planning committee to see where to go next. At last night's meeting a few suggestions were made for the fist steps to revitalizing the station. The following suggestions are ideas of projects that could be started now.
- A mural spanning the length of the building welcoming visitors to St. Catharines and more specifically to Western Hill
- A garden going across the length of the station platform. This project has been started but needs a lot more work
- A community garden in the field behind the station
- Putting play equipment into Cameron's Park and fixing up this space to make it more attractive for families to come and play
- Community clean up day for the rail road tracks
What are your thoughts? Are you interested in joining the planning committee? What change would you like to see at the train station? Leave a comment to continue the discussion.

Train Station Revitalization Project

After a public meeting in early September it was brought to my attention that the Train Station in Western Hill was an area of deep concern for Western Hillers. Residents mentioned how they felt like it was neglected, over-grown and attracted unwanted activity.
Within the meeting I asked what types of projects residents would like to take on and the strongest response was their desire to do something tangible, achievable and practical. They wanted to put their energy and resources into something that they could actually see happen and that could actually create change.
From this meeting and the comments and suggestions made I would like to suggest a Train Station Revitalization Project. I have done some background research and would like to invite the residents of Western Hill to come and talk about the possibilities and the potential ways the Train Station can be given a face lift of its own.
Come out to a Public Meeting on November 2, at 7:30 p.m. at West Park School to discuss how residents of Western Hill can take ownership of this corner of their community and make it a place they are proud to call their own.
Start the conversation now. What would you recommend to happen with the train station? What projects would you be willing to contribute to? Leave a comment to have your voice heard.

Rykert Incident

This past weekend, 59 Rykert experienced another shocking incident. A shooting left one victim seriously injured and a community shaken. What is your reaction to this frightening crisis? What would be your response?

Municipal Election Voter's Guide

Place your vote on October 25th. Learn more through this guide.
(Enlarge image to read text clearly by clicking on the box beside the black "Slide 1/12")

Public Meeting Minutes

I want to thank all who attended the Public Meeting on Tuesday. With roughly 50 attendees we had a productive meeting discussing critical issues for Western Hill. Please see the complete minutes of the meeting for all the details about what was discussed.
Below is a summary of the key points that were brought up.

• West Park S.S. is a strong asset to the community and the kids need to play a role in bringing about change in Western Hill- they need to start taking responsibility and ownership of their community
• Residents need a place to gather- a community centre
• The GO Train station needs serious attention and needs to be treated as another entrance into our community
• How do we change the reputation that Western Hill has and change the perceptions of our community?
• the Green Committee is committed to working with residents to beautify the community if residents are willing to pull their weight by volunteering and donating
• Change needs to come from within the community for it be sustainable and to create real change
• We need to have incentives for businesses to come into this community
• Murals and creative expressions can help to beautify the community and to deter graffiti and vandalism
• The community needs a place to focus its attention
• If we are going to do anything the whole community needs to have a vested interest in seeing it come through.

Again, please read the full minutes for all other comments and details. A follow-up meeting is in the progress of being planned. Details and updates will be posted on this website, Common Space.

Thanks again for all your participation and please use the comments section to continue the conversation. Do you agree with the suggestions that have been made? What else would you change? How would you give Western Hill a new face?

Public Meeting

Do you want to be a part of change?
Do you want to make an impact?
Do you care about your community?
Be an agent of change in Western Hill. At the public meeting share your thoughst on how your neighbourhood can iprove and ways to take action.
See our events page for full details.

A Sense of Community, or Lack there of

Today was the Community Meeting at the Rykert Community House, unit #29. I had one person show up. I want to thank the wonderful lady who took the time to share her story and her experience living in Rykert. It was a pleasure to share the afternoon with you and discuss the Rykert community. Being a "lifer" the one participant has seen the community change over the past thirty years. Raising her children in the community she never felt unsafe or as though she was in danger. Talking about the present day, she says,"as soon as I get close to my neighbourhood all the burdens of life are lifted and I feel safe." This woman loves the Rykert community and is committed to healthy sense of community. She is puzzled why there is so little participation from the community in events and social gatherings. Being a part of the original Tenants Association back in the late 70's early 80's she remembers when the community was a vibrant place with community BBQ's, multi-family garage sales, and community dances on the basket-ball court. The community was active and there was a unique sense of community. Now, there is nothing. The Tenants Association fizzled out over seven years ago. There is the odd community event, but in general there is little to no sense of community. What killed the sense of community in Rykert? This one tenant doesn't have an answer. Sure there has been an increase in drugs and gangs, but what community hasn't been a victim of that? "Back in the old days" there were activities that would naturally draw people together; women would do laundry together, do canning or go to the park with the kids. Men would fix their cars in the park lot and socialize together. Today, there are few things that bring adults together into a common space. How do you bring the adult community together? Why do you bring them together? What motivates people to be involved? Share your story and give your thoughts about what contributes to a sense of community and why Rykert is lacking this sense. Give your feed back.

Community Conversation

Come this Thursday to join in a community conversation about your neighbourhood. What do you like about your neighbourhood? What don't you like? What needs to change?
Rykert Community House, Unit #92
Drop-in between 1 and 4 p.m.

Street Conversation

Yesterday I was out on the streets of Old Western Hill with my flip chart and giant marker waiting to talk to residents who had a minute to share their opinion. Looking to better understand the perspectives of those who live within Old Western Hill, I asked a couple questions and wrote down their responses. Thank you to all those who participated.
Here are the responses.
What do you like/dislike about your neighbourhood?
Like:

• It's Home
• "I love it here"
• Quiet
• Location: accessible, close to the country and farmers
• People stick around
• Close to schools
• A lot of trees
• People are friendly
• Good place for kids to grow up

Dislike:

• Increase in drug community
• Dirty
• Crime
• Industrial welding company on Pelhem
• Nothing to do for teens
• No Big Bee
• Overpriced stores
• No beer or LCBO store

What would be your suggestions to make your community a better place to be?

• Parks
• Place for kids to play
• Keep Westpark Pool
• Community clean-up day in partnership with the City who will come and pick up the big items
• Food drives
• Bakesales

If you could put anything on one of the vacant lots in your community, what would it be?

• Youth Centre
• Bakery
• Swimming pool
• Affordable recreation centre

What are your thoughts?? What do you like about your neighbourhood? What would you change? What would you add. Share your thoughts and comments and join in on the community conversation.

What draws people to the Old Western Hill nieghbourhood?

What drew you to live or work in the Old Western Hill neighbourhood? What do you like about it? What don't you like about it? What makes Old Western Hill different from other communities in Niagara? Post your thoughts.

Welcome.

Welcome to Common Space. This blog has been created to start conversation about the community and neighbours of the Rykert/Western Hill area. Posts will be added on a monthly bases, providing a space for you to add your comments, thoughts or questions about the topic presented. Please use this "Common Space" to engage with your community and participate in making your community a better place to live.