Turning Walkley around

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by Wayne Hiltz

When June McGibbon moved onto Walkley Avenue in NDG in 1992, she was afraid to walk the street after dark. Determined to make it a cleaner and safer street, she joined the Walkley United Families Association (WUFA). Along with the efforts of many other residents and groups, things have since turned around. "Walkley is now just another street in NDG," says McGibbon, who's now WUFA's president. "It's livable."

Change started slowly, picking up steam last year when the Mobilization for Families project was created. Residents were contacted door-to-door about getting more involved. A spring cleanup was organized, and separate recycling and trash bins put outside each apartment complex. The local Eco-Quartier helped to promote recycling awareness and respect for garbage disposal rules. "It's only once in a blue moon that you'd see a bag put out the day before," says McGibbon.

With the introduction of community policing a few years ago, crime has decreased substantially and a more trusting relationship has been built with the local police. This year, Tandem NDG/Côte-des-Neiges is helping residents to set up a Neighbourhood Watch program and Station 24 will try a radar pilot project to cut down on speeding on the long, wide street.

A monthly public forum enables residents to bring up problems to City officials, while the reactivated Landlords' Association hears tenants' concerns. "The pride is back," McGibbon declares. "Walkley is now on the move."