Excelsior Springs Kicks Off New Neighborhood Engagement Team and Block Party Challenge


Excelsior Springs, Missouri is taking big steps to bring neighbors together. With the help of Laura Mize and other local leaders, the city has launched a Neighborhood Engagement Team and a fun Block Party Challenge to encourage connection and community.

To help kick off the effort, neighborhood expert David Burton was invited to town to talk about his work on building stronger neighborhoods across Missouri. Advance stories about David's program in the Excelsior Citizen called him the "neighboring guru" for Missouri!

During his visit, he gave a talk at the public library about how to be an engaged and caring neighbor. He also met with the new engagement team, spoke with city staff, led a discussion with the ministerial alliance, and even had a one-on-one visit with the mayor.

“I was excited to visit a city that already values community and is ready to take it to the next level,” David said. “Excelsior Springs is a great example of what can happen when people come together with a shared purpose.”

The Neighborhood Engagement Team, organized by Laura Mize, is focused on helping people get to know their neighbors, support each other, and build a stronger sense of community. One of their first fun ideas is the BlockParty Challenge, where neighborhoods are encouraged to host events that bring people together—like cookouts, games, or music nights.

Block Party Challenge will help encourage area residents to host their own block parties, aiming to bring residents together while encouraging involvement and strengthening relationships. The Neighborhood Engagement Team has also set a community goal aiming to have residents host at least 50 of these gatherings between the Easter and Halloween holidays.

“We want people to feel like they belong in their neighborhood,” Laura said. “When people know each other, they feel safer, more connected, and more proud of where they live.”

Excelsior Springs already has a history of innovation and strong citizen involvement. In 2024, the city was even named the Most Neighborly City in Missouri in its size category during Missouri Good Neighbor Week. That award recognized the many ways the people of Excelsior Springs reach out to help and support each other.

With the new Neighborhood Engagement Team and Block Party Challenge underway, city leaders hope to keep that spirit growing.

“It’s not just about events,” Laura added. “It’s about building lasting relationships.”

As neighbors across Excelsior Springs start planning block parties and connecting in new ways, the city once again shows how powerful it is when people work together—and care for each other like good neighbors do.

 

Written by David L. Burton

MORE INFORMATION

Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.com or visit his website at http://engagedneighbor.com.

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