More than 200 residents dropped by the Hammond Community Centre on July 7 to connect with neighbours and share their ideas for projects and plans to improve Hammond, and enjoy the free swim & delicious cake, an event organized by the Hammond Neighbours group.

"It's so exciting to see Hammond buzzing with activity, energy, and ideas," said Leanne Koehn, one of the founding members of the group.

Hammond residents are connecting and planning projects in the areas of community building, neighbourhood beautification, heritage preservation, community safety, family activities, sports & outdoor activities, crafts and arts, and gardening. They are also connecting via their Facebook group ("Hammond Neighbours") and a new - and developing - website at www.hammondneighbours.ca. If anyone would like to hear about upcoming Hammond projects and events, email admin@hammondneighbours.ca to be added to our mailing list.

Hammond Neighbours expressed their gratitude to Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services and Thrifty Foods, whom they called their "generous partners for the day," as well as to Maple Ridge Museum & Archives, Port Kells Nursery, Peter Tam and Open Door Church, Family Education & Support Centre, Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Arts Council & the ACT Arts Centre & Theatre, Girl Guides of Canada, Adopt-A-Block, Maple Ridge Bicycle Advisory Council, "Our Neighbourhoods" initiative, Ridge Meadows Recycling Society, and Matt Koster Amanda Pion. The group also gave a "special thanks" to Val Patenaude, Lisa Zosiak, and Ron Gordon for their work on Hammond's Heritage and the RCMP officers who arrived in full dress uniform.