Annual Springfield block party brings families together

The idea for the celebration came from Springfield Avenue resident Diana Bruno, who was away for this year's event. Ten residents were on the organizing committee.

As in years past, the nearby Shaar Hashomayim synagogue contributed platters of salad, sandwiches and drinks. The only other well-known block party in Westmount is held on Arlington Avenue in August annually.

The children's activities on Springfield included a relay race, a bean bag toss, face painting, an artist's corner and ping pong, as well as the freedom to bike and play on the street without concern for cars.

"We included everyone from Metcalfe and everyone from Mount Stephen," said Robert Waghorn, proudly cradling his newborn child. According to Waghorn, there have been four new arrivals on Springfield since last year and they were all invited.

"Everyone gets to know one another, is acknowledging one another, is a lot more neighbourly, community-oriented," he said.

"I think everybody's really keen to keep it going," said Metcalfe Avenue resident Maureen Pallett. "We have some new families coming in this year and it's a great chance for everybody to meet and for the kids have a wonderful time."

Another Springfield resident, Natacha Martin, was getting into the swing of things, organizing the children's games and applying paint to her daughter Morgane's face.

"We've been here on the street for 11 years now," she said. "It's a nice way to meet the neighbours." She agreed block parties are a great way to meet fellow residents after a long winter spent cooped up indoors.

"Just last year, I met people right here on the street that I'd never seen, and they've been there 20 years," she said. Between work and other pressing matters, she had never found the time to get to know them.