Tag Archives: Glen Abbey

I was thrilled to see the editorial in last week’s Oakville Today newspaper promoting the idea of holding street parties. The author, Michael Howie told a story about attending a nearby neighbourhood party held on Rushbrooke Drive in the the Glen Abbey area of North Oakville. He says that “the kids were running around (safely), the adults were laughing (without malice) and everyone was having a good time. The best part was that it brought an entire community together”. Isn’t that what Playbourhood is all about? Congratulations to the folks who planned and hosted the event. And thanks to Michael for telling the world about it in the newspaper. Continue reading →

Nottinghill Park can be found adjacent to the soccer pitches and ball diamond at the corner of Pilgrim’s Way and Nottinghill Gate. It’s in the Glen Abbey area of North Oakville. An older playground, it is small and intimate and well sheltered among the trees, which is great for those hot summer days. The problem, however, is that it’s tucked away at the north end of the park and hard to access. Continue reading →

Congratulations to Abbey Park High. The North Oakville school was listed on the top list of schools in the Fraser Institute’s Report Card on Ontario’s Secondary Schools. The assessment looks at seven key indicators derived from province-wide tests of literacy and mathematics skills administered by the province’s Education Quality and Accountability Office. You can find more info about the annual ranking on the Institute’s web site. Continue reading →

What’s winter in Canada without a few good stories about hockey. And this one has it all – even a Playbourhood twist. When I was a kid, it seemed that everyone played out on the street at sometime or other. Winter or summer, it didn’t matter – although the intensity often picked up in the early autumn as the hockey season approached. These days, though, arenas are operational all year round and kids just don’t hang out in the neighbourhood anymore. And that’s a shame. Kids really need to spend more time outside, in the yard, on the street, playing games. It’s not only healthy, but it helps build social skills and community connections. And now, we have proof that it can also help kids make it to the big leagues! One small street in Oakville is a great example as this recent story in the Oakville Beaver points out. Playing together is not just about building friendships and filling your day. It also helps to build skills on many levels. So, if you want your budding Gretzky to make it to the big leagues, why not let them have a little fun along the way. That’s what they do on Grainer Court. Continue reading →

I know this item is a little dated now, but it was such a great story I just had to share. For many Canadians, the joy of playing on an outdoor ice rink in the deepest cold of February is a rite of passage. And for many parents, the experience of creating a back yard rink brings to mind a whole new level to the meaning of rite of passage. For those who have tried it, you know what I mean. This story is about a group of people who actually enjoy that experience every winter in the Old Abbey Park neighbourhood. Read the whole story here. I’d like to shake the hand of Case Feenstra, but I doubt he can feel his fingers right now! Thanks to you and all your helpers for putting a little fun into your Playbourhood! Continue reading →