What is a neighbourhood? An area determined by streets, a community bound together by a common tax roll, a mix of homes and businesses with a shared history? Some of the above, all of the above?
The Record is taking a closer look at the city's 11 unique neighbourhoods in a special series. We hope to give those who have called this city their home for quite awhile, and those who have just unloaded the moving van, a fresh look at their neighbourhood.
There are 11 distinct neighbourhoods in New Westminster, and trying to pin down how the names and boundaries came to be took a little digging. But after several phones calls and suggestions about who might know, City of New Westminster communications and economic development manager Blair Fryer was finally able to answer the burning question.
"The (city planning) department was conducting studies on different areas of the city (in the 1970s), and names were chosen for each area based on what planners at the time (thought) seemed reasonable. Some came from names that were already used, like Uptown, Downtown, Sapperton, and weren't formally used or formalized by the city," Fryer says.
Planner Barry Chaster was the city staffer who over-
The names and boundaries developed 40 years ago continue today, and those 11 neighbourhoods all have their own residents' associations.
Some 'hoods, like Downtown, are vibrant, busy, teeming with people, action and urban bustle. Others, like Queen's Park, are quiet, family-friendly neighbourhoods full of architectural gems.
They each differ, offering advantages and challenges, but they have a common thread - a unique character. And, if you've been in the city for a bit - you might also say each neighbourhood has true loyalists and boosters.
We don't want to reignite old whose 'hood is better arguments? - but let's just say it's better not to dis anyone's neighbourhood in this fine city.
