The Street of the Year award was recently presented to Brad Livingstone and his young son, Callum, who live on the section of 50A Avenue between 51A Avenue and 205A Street.
The award, given out at the City of Langley council meeting July 27 was presented by Mayor Ted Schaffer.
“The City of Langley is built by individuals who take pride in their community,” he said. “On behalf of Langley City council, we would like to thank all of the residents who take pride in their streets and continually commit to keep Langley City beautiful.”
Street of the Year is aimed at increasing community pride in neighbourhoods. Dylan Stewart, superintendent of engineering and operations with the City, noted the winning street is selected by a panel of judges.
“Residents fill out the online application,” Stewart said. “[The award] is based on the criteria of [the street] being well-kept, clean, unique, and having a sense of community.”
According to a City announcement, “The winner of the 2015 Street of the Year will receive a new street sign with the Street of the Year designation. In addition to the new street sign, the winning street will enjoy a block party with entertainment and games hosted by the [City’s] recreation, culture, and community services department, and a barbecue sponsored and catered by Match Public House and Eatery.”
Another resident of the small area, Sarah Atherton, was notified about her neighbourhood winning the award.
“We are so thrilled with the win,” Atherton said. “We have lived on our street for three years and is has felt like home since day one. Our street has many young families with kids ranging from newborn up to teens. My two kids, Gavin, six, and Emily, three, love hanging out with the neighbourhood kids riding their bikes, scooters, trikes and etc. around the little cul de sac space by our house. We love the community feel in our street. We’ve made many friends with our neighbours and often get together for mini block parties and play dates. Halloween is a real treat on the street, too; our kids have fun trick or treating together with the others on the street. Summer is fun with a short walk to Al Anderson Pool or the spray park, blackberry picking along the creek trails, and frog spotting in the rain. It’s the perfect place to raise our family and we get a real sense of ‘place’ living on 50A Ave.”
Having run for several years, the City hopes the Street of the Year contest will encourage community involvement and inspire residents to take pride in the beauty and care of their street and community.
The contest is announced through posters, on the City’s website, and via other electronic means each year. Residents can submit a photo along with up to 50 words to describe what makes the street special.
