Block Parties

• Have fun!
• Get to know your neighbours
• Encourages a sense of pride and belonging
• Create a safer neighbourhood
• Build connections and friendships
• Celebrate your neighborhood
• Learn about the history of your neighbourhood
• Support for newcomers

• Ensure adequate insurance coverage for block party
• No alcohol
• Be respectful of noise and amplified sound
• Notify neighbours of the block party
• Ensure the area used for the block party is safe and suitable for a gathering 
• Clean up after your event and remove garbage
• Maintain access for emergency vehicles

Block parties can be held in a variety of locations in most residential neighbourhoods. Here are some areas to consider when planning your block party:

1. Local park – hosting a block party in a park provides an easy location that can accommodate small to large block parties based on availability.  To book a park, insurance is required, along with a park rental fee.  Visit our facility booking page to book a space or email facilitybookings@mapleridge.ca
2. Front/ back lawn – an easy option is to host a block party on your own property
3. Private complex common area - host a block party in a controlled outdoor area in your building's complex
4. On your street – the requirements for hosting block parties on a public street has increased and requires safety measures to ensure public safety and can be quite costly. See details below for details on requirements for a road closure, or contact City staff at 604-467-7325 or neighbours@mapleridge.ca

As part of our ongoing commitment to community safety, the City is currently not authorizing road closures for neighbourhood block parties. This precautionary change aligns with an evolving review of event safety practices across the province.

Most neighbourhood events are not affected. The majority of block parties proceed without the need to close a road and can continue as planned, using spaces like driveways, front lawns, or local parks.

All approved applications will continue to receive their Neighbourhood Small Grant funding.

If your neighbourhood still wishes to include a road closure as part of your block party, you must submit a separate Special Event Application and meet additional safety measures. This includes:

• A professional traffic management plan and safety plan

• Payment for traffic control services and equipment*

  *Note - Any expenses exceeding the approved grant amount will be the responsibility of the applicant.

To apply for a road closure, visit Hosting a Community Event or contact City staff at 604-467-7325 or neighbours@mapleridge.ca 

Important Reminders:

• Applications must be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the block party
• All required documentation must be submitted with the application
• It may take up to two weeks to receive a response

Thank you for your understanding as we continue to prioritize the safety of our community while supporting neighbourhood celebrations.

• Neighbourhood Small Grant – funding to support block party
• Book a Park for Your Block Party

604-467-7325 | neighbours@mapleridge.ca 

Check out our six step instructions for planning a basic block party in Maple Ridge:

1. Pick a location. Block Parties can take place in a variety of locations. Where you decide to hold your Block Party will determine some of the steps that you need to go through.
2. Pick a Time and Date. Pick a time and date that will allow the most people to attend. Give yourself enough time to organize and advertise your event. If you are hosting it in a park, get confirmation from the City before advertising your event.
3. Get a Team. Get help from friends and neighbours to make the block party happen. If people have specific tasks such as planning a game to play, taking care of food, or dropping off invitations to neighbours, it makes it much easier. Don't forget to ask people to help with set up and clean up.
4. Plan Event Activities. All sorts of things can happen at a block party! Ideas include: Casual meeting of neighbours, Lawn games such as bocce or croquet, Sidewalk art projects such as chalk art, Potluck food, Music, "Get to know you" games and much more.
5. Invite Your Neighbours. Make a flyer or invitation to send around to your neighbours to let them know about the event. It is also helpful to send out reminders closer to the date.
6. Get some support. The City of Maple Ridge can offer some support that may help your Block Party be successful. Apply for a Neighbourhood Small Grant to help cover the costs for food, insurance costs, and other expenses. Your block party may be eligible for up to $500 in funding.

1. On private property:
   1. Host a lawn or back yard party. No permits required.
   2. Easy and quick to plan and schedule.
   3. Consider insurance requirements and plan for a safe event
2. In a city owned park:
   1. Easy and quick to plan and schedule.
   2. Suitable for large or small gatherings.
   3. For information about booking a civic park
   4. You may need insurance, you can use your own provider or request coverage through this program.
3. On a Street:

   1. As part of our ongoing commitment to community safety, the City is currently not authorizing road closures for neighbourhood block parties. This precautionary change aligns with an evolving review of event safety practices across the province.

      If your neighbourhood still wishes to include a road closure as part of your block party, you must submit a Special Event Application and meeting additional safety requirements.

      This includes:

      A professional traffic management plan and safety plan

      Payment for traffic control services and equipment*

      *Note - Any expenses exceeding the approved grant amount will be the responsibility of the applicant.

      To apply for a road closure, visit Hosting a Community Event or contact City staff at 604-467-7325 or neighbours@mapleridge.ca 

      Important Reminders:

      Applications must be submitted 30 days in advance of your event

      All required documentation must be submitted with the application

      It may take up to two weeks to receive a response

      Thank you for your understanding as we continue to prioritize the safety of our community while supporting neighbourhood celebrations.

As part of our ongoing commitment to community safety, the City is currently not authorizing road closures for neighbourhood block parties. This precautionary change aligns with an evolving review of event safety practices across the province.

If your neighbourhood still wishes to include a road closure as part of your block party, you must submit a Special Event Application and meeting additional safety requirements.

This includes:

• A professional traffic management plan and safety plan
• Payment for traffic control services and equipment*

*Note - Any expenses exceeding the approved grant amount will be the responsibility of the applicant.

To apply for a road closure, visit Hosting a Community Event or contact City staff at 604-467-7325 or neighbours@mapleridge.ca 

Important Reminders:

• Applications must be submitted 30 days in advance of your event
• All required documentation must be submitted with the application
• It may take up to two weeks to receive a response

Thank you for your understanding as we continue to prioritize the safety of our community while supporting neighbourhood celebrations.

Partial costs may be supplemented by applying for a Neighborhood Small Grant, offered by the City of Maple Ridge and Vancouver Foundation.

You will need to apply for a Temporary Health Permit through Fraser Health if you will be selling food at your block party. You don't need a permit if you are having a BBQ or potluck with your neighbours. For details on how to apply for permit visit Fraser Health.

We encourage you to host and participate in social events, such as a block party. However, it is important that these events are respectful of the wider community. The following rules and regulations apply:

• No alcohol
• Be respectful of noise and don't amplify music
• Keep access open for emergency vehicles
• Make sure fire hydrants are accessible and not blocked
• Clean up after the party

Block Party hosts can request to be included in the Maple Ridge Fire Department's Hot Summer Nights program.