The Neighbourhood Association Directory has been prepared by the staff of the Community Planning and Design Section of the Planning and Economic Development Department, with the assistance of citizen group members. Attempts have been made to provide current contact information for these groups. It is recognized that this Directory will require continual updating, as new groups form or are renewed, and their executive members and contacts change. Such changes may occur on an annual basis for some organizations as election of officers occur, or on an irregular basis.
Background Information on Neighbourhood Plan Associations
There are many citizen groups in Hamilton which have been formed to address a wide range of community concerns. These include Neighbourhood Associations, Community Councils, and various other organizations.
Citizen volunteers who are members of these organizations donate their time to deal with many issues ranging from planning and development, parks, recreation, transportation, safety, Neighbourhood Watch, property standards and many others. Each neighbourhood group may differ in terms of its role, manner of operation and local priorities.
The long tradition of Neighbourhood Associations in Hamilton traces its origins back for over a generation, since some groups have been active for 25 years or more. Other groups have been recently formed, and many have undergone cycles of renewal. While some groups may have begun as primarily single-issue groups to address specific issues, most have broadened their perspective to address a wide range of issues. These groups have in common the desire of citizens to improve their communities, along with the willingness to expend time and energy to make a difference in improving the quality of life in Hamilton.