Getting Involved in Your Neighborhood

Whether you rent or own your home, being an involved and active member of your neighborhood is vital to the continued growth of our Greater Toledo community. Our property taxes, mortgage and rental payments, and utility bills are all ways we feel monetarily invested in our home, but what about our emotional investment in our neighborhoods? Do you feel a shared sense of responsibility for the health and growth of your street? Your block? Your neighborhood? When we make meaningful connections with our neighbors, environment, and history, we feel rooted to our community, helping us to establish pride and respect for our neighborhoods.

Get to Know your Neighbors

It's important to be familiar with your immediate neighbors. In times of emergency, it's helpful to be able to call a neighbor to assist you, especially if they're right across the street. Understanding the people that make up your neighborhood provides context for your community's history and progress moving forward.

Here are some ways you can get to know your neighbors:

• Simply knock on their door and introduce yourself! Exchange contact information and learn about each other's families and homes.

• Send a letter to each neighbor on your street. Include your return address for them to send a response.

• Host a block party! When the weather is warm, there is no better way to get to know your neighbors than inviting them to your front lawn for food, games, and conversation.

• Join your neighborhood association to stay up to date about issues that concern your immediate community. Not sure where to start? Visit the City of Toledo's website to locate your neighborhood association, its leadership, and when/where they meet.

Visit the City of Toledo's website to navigate their interactive Neighborhood Associations map

Blight, Safety, and Wellness

What about your neighborhood's health? Do you notice blighted properties that attract pests, potholes that damage car tires, or streetlights with lightbulbs that burned out? At any time, you can call Engage Toledo to report a concern in your neighborhood. There are a few ways you can contact Engage Toledo:

• Visit their website to submit a request on their online portal.

• Email Engage Toledo at engagetoledo@toledo.oh.gov.

• Call 24/7 at 419-936-2020 to report issues requiring immediate attention, like threats to public safety or water or sewer emergencies.

Did you know the Toledo Police Department maintains a crime map to help you stay informed about local incidents? The Community Crime Map is regularly updated with reports across town, helping you remain alert.

Your Neighborhood's History

How much do you know about your local history? What events effected your neighborhood's population, culture, and infrastructure? The Toledo Lucas County Public Library has the answers you need. To start, visit their website to read a blog about Toledo's changing neighborhoods. Then, travel to their Local History Digital Collections page to learn what resources your libraries can provide to help you understand the context of your neighborhood's progress.