Strong Towns volunteer advocacy group aims to improve community through discussion event Wednesday

Kelly Allard, co-chair of the Strong Towns Local Conversations group, said she hopes events like these can help Hatters improve their city.

“We are hoping to inspire other residents to improve their own little corner of the city,” Allard said.

It will be close to 20 C in Medicine Hat during the scheduled event time.

Strong Towns carried out a series of public engagement sessions in 2023 and is currently advising an “action team” made up of city employees in 2024, an official with the organization told CHAT News in November.

The Strong Towns group has goals to improve the city.

“We are group of local private residents that believe in finding little things around the city that can be fixed and fixing them,” Allard said.

“A great example of coming up with ideas to add vibrancy and possibly spur development is pop-up parks. They made two empty downtown lots pretty and someone saw the potential. The result: the Yard, and the Moose and Squirrel.”

Allard said creating events like block parties can also be a great way to build community.

Small things, too, she added.

“I saw a bunch of large concrete blocks painted to look like Lego outside a local daycare – they are certainly bright, vibrant and put a smile on my face.”

by Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

Strong Towns volunteer advocacy group aims to improve community through discussion event Wednesday

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