Love My Neighbourhood

The Love My Neighbourhood program is designed to help you form connections, strengthen relationships, and build support systems for your community in the City of Burlington.

How it works

Burlington residents can apply for a grant of up to $500 per household and/or event once a year. It can be used to host a neighbourhood or social gathering, cultural or environmental activity or fun program. Applications are accepted year-round.

Support for a Love My Neighbourhood gathering may include the following:

  • Maximum three hour rental at City facility at $0 (additional hours can be purchased) or rental of City park space at $0.
  • Road Closure Permit provided at $0 on approved City streets and access to barricades to close streets.
  • Ability to purchase insurance through provider when on City property.
  • City staff (Coordinator, Community Development) liaison and support.
  • Maximum $500 of funding to cover eligible expenses (reimbursed post-event).

How to apply

1. Criteria and guidelines

Read the criteria and guidelines to find out if your Love My Neighbourhood is eligible.

2. Complete the documents

3. Apply

Submit LMN application

Criteria and guidelines

  • Burlington residents only
  • Small gatherings of under 250 people
  • The event or activity must demonstrate the development of neighbour-to-neighbour connection
  • Events/activities must be free to the neighbourhood to attend – i.e. no admission/costs/fees
  • One time event or activity

Not eligible:

  • Schools, hospitals, public agencies, commercial businesses, for-profits, non-profits, sport organizations and teams, common interest groups and organizations, and political or religious organizations or groups
  • Applicants already receiving funding or support from the City of Burlington may be ineligible
  • Events/activities with admission/costs/fees for the neighbourhood to attend
  • Reoccurring events or activity
  • Events associated with a private booking, business, organization, AGM meeting or other similar activities (Love My Neighbourhood event should not occur before or after a meeting)

Public City property:

  • City roads (as approved by City staff)
  • City parks and open space
  • City sidewalks and boulevards
  • Indoor City facilities (rooms, gyms, and arenas)

Outdoor private property that is accessible for public use:

  • Outdoor spaces within condominium, apartment buildings or complexes
  • Parking lots, open green space, etc.
  • Residential driveways/front lawns

Not eligible:

Private property with restricted use:

  • Residence - indoors or backyard
  • Indoor spaces within condominium, apartment buildings or complexes
  • Private recreational facilities
  • Commercial businesses
  • Indoor spaces at locations related to political or religious activity
  • Indoor spaces on school property

  • Meet and greet afternoon social
  • Holiday celebration
  • Backyard games tournament
  • Road hockey tournament
  • Book or plant exchange
  • Frisbee, soccer, baseball or football game
  • Tree or flower planting
  • Movie night
  • Nature walk/hike
  • Neighbourhood arts appreciation (cultural, music, dance, visual etc.)
  • Arts or crafts program
  • Community walks
  • Capitalize on things already happening in the community. For example, if there is a free swim at a nearby pool, have a get-together after the swim

Below is a list of items that may be considered for funding:

  • Additional rental time on City property if more than three hours
  • Decorations and event supplies
  • Entertainment (musician, busker, etc.)
  • Food
  • Insurance
  • Marketing and invitations (printed or digital)
  • Rental of equipment may be considered (chairs, tables, tents, etc.)
  • Road closure costs

Funding will not be approved for:

  • Purchase or rental of inflatable equipment
  • Purchase of fireworks
  • Honorariums paid to applicant
  • Purchase of equipment
  • Purchase of any alcohol beverages, tobacco, or cannabis products
  • Purchase of gift cards

  • Maximum three hour rental at City facility at $0 (additional hours can be purchased) or rental of City park space at $0.
  • Road Closure Permit provided at $0 on approved City streets and access to barricades to close streets.
  • Ability to purchase insurance through provider when on City property.
  • City staff (Coordinator, Community Development) liaison and support.
  • Maximum $500 of funding to cover eligible expenses (reimbursed post-event).

Applications should be submitted 4-6 weeks in advance of your event date.

Please contact the Recreation, Community and Culture, the Community Connects team to discuss options if your event date is sooner.

All Love My Neighbourhoods require insurance. Insurance fees can be submitted for reimbursement as part of post-report, if eligible

  • On City property
    • $2 million liability insurance is required and can be purchased through the City of Burlington
    • For higher risk activities such as inflatables/bouncers, climbing walls, contact sports and skateboarding, insurance of $5 million liability is required and must be purchased privately. Please discuss requirements with City staff
  • On private property
    • Required to submit your own proof of insurance listing the Corporation of the City of Burlington, 426 Brant St., Burlington, ON L7R 3Z6 as an additional insured

Road closure requirements

  • Applications should be submitted 4-6 weeks in advance of your event date
  • All residents impacted by the closure must sign the consent document, with 70 per cent plus one of neighbour approval required

If approved, City staff will arrange permits and barricades for your events.

  • Barricades are mandatory
  • Barricade pick up and drop off will be the responsibility of the applicant from Central Arena. Staff will coordinate pick up and drop off times before your event.
  • No vehicle access is allowed during the event (barricades cannot be moved).

Roads that are requested to be closed must follow the following criteria:

  • Roads should be no more than one block long
  • The road should be a residential (local) street
  • The road should not be a major road and must be free from an active bus route
  • The road cannot be closed where it intersects with a major roadway
  • There must be clear visibility from each intersection

Please contact the Recreation, Community and Culture - Community Connects team if you have questions if your street is eligible.

  • Post report is to be submitted within 30 days of your LMN completion
  • A completed post-report is required in order to be reimbursed for pre-approved expenses
  • All receipts must be included with post-report

  • Waste: The City is committed to reducing waste and promoting green practices. We ask that neighbours use their own garbage, recycling and green bins to ensure that garbage from their event gets sorted properly. Organizers and participants are responsible for clean-up after the event. Additional garbage tags can be purchased and submitted as expense
  • Alcohol or cannabis: are not permitted at Love My Neighbourhood events or on public property
  • Inflatables: Are not eligible to be covered by LMN grant. If you would like to have an inflatable at your event, please discuss the requirements with City staff
  • Animals: If you are considering having any animals for entertainment at your event (pony rides, petting zoo etc.), please discuss the requirements with City staff
  • Fireworks: Are not eligible to be covered by LMN grant and are only permitted on Canada Day / Victoria Day holiday weekends, please discuss the requirements with City staff
  • Food: ensure you are following all Halton Region Health Department protocols
  • Tents and stages: 10ftx10ft pop-up tents are permitted and must be appropriately weighted (no staking of any tents is allowed in any city parks). For larger tents or stages, please discuss the requirements with City staff