Neighborhood Program
The City of Renton has formally adopted a Neighborhood Program to ensure a positive dialogue between the City and its residents. By bringing neighbors together and helping residents improve their neighborhoods, a greater sense of community is fostered and the overall image of the City is improved. The program matches City staff members with neighborhood groups to provide a contact point between the City and residents. The program also sponsors a small matching grant program for public involvement projects.
Building a Partnership
The City staff and citizens all play important roles in governing the City. Collaboration will result in improved decisions for all of Renton. The City of Renton is committed to promoting and sustaining an environment that creates and responds to citizen involvement.
Features of the Program
The Neighborhood Program is made up of three major features. The first and most important is Neighborhood Recognition. Neighborhood Recognition happens once an application to become an Officially Recognized Renton Neighborhood has been completed and accepted. An Officially Recognized Neighborhood will receive from the City:
- A volunteer City employee who serves as a liaison working with your neighborhood and provides a link to the departments and services of the City
- Eligibility for funding for neighborhood picnics
- Information about your neighborhood, as it pertains to the Neighborhood Program, on the City's website
- Publicity for neighborhood events on Channel 21, the City's cable access station, as they pertain to the Neighborhood Program
- The quarterly "Neighbor to Neighbor" electronic newsletter that provides information about key issues, events and programs, opportunities for citizen input, volunteer information, and updates about the Neighborhood Program.
Currently there are 59 Officially Recognized Neighborhoods (see the Neighborhood Map) that each have Neighborhood Contacts and City Liaisons. After a neighborhood has been recognized, the City supports the neighborhood through two important programs, the Neighborhood Picnic Program and the Neighborhood Grant Program.
- The Neighborhood Picnic Program brings tables, chairs, a BBQ and play equipment for kids to recognized neighborhoods for a once-a-year Neighborhood Picnic. This program requires matching contributions from the community (monetary or in-kind).
- The Neighborhood Grant Program allows neighborhoods to apply for grants that will improve the viability and livability of their neighborhoods. This program also requires matching contributions from the community (monetary or in-kind). If you are interested in starting your own neighborhood association, check out the How to Build a Neighborhood Association Guide.
For more information about the Neighborhood Program please call or email Norma McQuiller, Neighborhood Program Coordinator, at 425-430-6595 or Wendy Kirchner, Neighborhood Program Assistant, at 425-430-6594.