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Block Party Information

For many generations block parties have served as a way for neighbours to meet each other. Some block parties are organized around Canadian holidays such as July 1 (Canada Day) or BC Day in August. People may decide to get together because of an issue (such as traffic or vandalism) affecting the neighbourhood. Whatever the motive, block parties often lead to further gatherings of neighbours and may lead to neighbourhood improvements such as a crosswalk, new playground equipment, or a neighbourhood clean up campaign.

One does not have to live in a district of single family homes to be involved in a block party. Block parties can happen in common spaces in townhouse complexes, in front of apartment buildings or in a park near a condominium. A block party is simply a group of neighbours working together to organize an event for their residential neighbourhood.

Block parties are not costly to organize. Thanks to the cooperation of the City's Engineering Department and your local community centre, costs for insurance, barricades and permits have been eliminated.

This site is organized so that all necessary information, forms, and do's and don'ts are included. In addition, your neighbourhood community centre may be able to direct you to others who have organized block parties and can answer your questions.

So do not hesitate, gather a couple of neighbours, fix a date, and invite others to join in!

Need more convincing? Here are 10 More Reasons to Have a Block Party!

Suggestions on How to Start Organizing

• Start knocking on doors to find out if there is enough interest and if so, which day would be the best for most people.
• Fix a day and times (mid-afternoon to evening works best). Respect neighbourhood quietness after 9:00 p.m. Think of an alternate plan in case of poor weather.
• Decide if this will be a block party restricted to those on the street/block or will people be able to invite friends/relatives (if yes, how many). Make this clear in your flyer/invitation.
• Gather a few neighbours and divide up the tasks. Decide on a possible theme, activities etc. Decide what to do about food.
• Go door to door asking people to fill in the Sign-Off Form (below). This will indicate that the majority of neighbours (65%) have no objections to the street being blocked (this is also a good opportunity to recruit volunteers). Complete the necessary forms and mail or fax to the City Engineering Department.
• Hand out an invitation ( PDF, 81 kb) and the Block Party details sheet ( PDF, 58 kb) and let people know where forms are to be returned. If it would be helpful, use the “What is a Block Party” letter, which explains in 11 languages about block parties.

Need some good ideas or fun and fabulous family activities for block parties?

Procedures to Follow to Hold a Block Party

1. When the date has been decided:
   • fill in the Application/Insurance Form ( PDF, 159 kb)
   • have neighbours fill in the Sign-Off Form ( PDF, 53 kb)
   • draw a map indicating the streets or alleys that will be used
2. Fax or deliver the completed application/insurance form, map and the sign off form to the Special Events Coordination Office (126 Keefer St. or 604-257.8859). Call the Special Events Coordination Office at 604-257.8850 to confirm receipt of the application. Tentatively book your barricades by calling or visiting one of four designated community centres.
3. Once you have confirmation of your no-cost permit from the Special Events Coordination Office, the office will forward your approved Application/Insurance Form to the community centre you will be getting the barricades from.
4. Confirm your booking of the barricades at the community centre you have selected ($50 deposit required). Check when and where to pick up and return the barricades. The barricade deposit will be returned to you when the barricades are brought back to the community centre after the block party is finished.
5. Remember to fax or deliver a Cancellation Notice for Block Party Form ( PDF, 77 kb) as soon as possible if the event has to be canceled.

Some Helpful Tips:

Follow these links for more information on:
• Suggested Activities for Getting to Know Neighbours
• Getting Your New Canadian Neighbour to the Block Party
• How to Reach Neighbours in Townhouses, Apartments and Condos
• Reminders
• Useful Phone Numbers

Helpful Forms

A Block Party: what is it?
Two pages of translated information sheet on block parties. A brief description is given in each of the following languages: English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Punjabi, Tagalog and Vietnamese, Somali, Farsi, Kurdish, and Arabic. These pages are printable from .jpg format

Block Party Details
A follow-up to the invitation. ( PDF, 58 kb)

Block Party Evaluation Form
A feedback form to help you plan your next Block Party! ( PDF, 66 kb)

Invite your local police constable
Let your local Community Policing Office know that you would like an officer to drop by. Check the blue pages for the CPC nearest to you. ( PDF, 16 kb)

Should you be unable to print these forms, you can pick up a Block Party package at the Vancouver Special Events Coordination Office (126 Keefer St.) or an information brochure at your local community centre.

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Comments or questions? Send us e-mail at film.office@vancouver.ca.

© 2007, City of Vancouver, Engineering Services
Last Modified: Thursday, December 9, 2010