Be a Good Neighbor

Cities need healthy neighborhoods to survive. Neighborhoods are where people feel the strongest sense of community, creating an environment that improves quality of life and supports building friendships, tackling problems, and finding solutions to challenges. Cedar Rapids is fortunate to have many strong neighborhoods with distinct personalities and challenges. We all play a role in making our neighborhoods, and Cedar Rapids, a great place to live.

Neighborhood Associations strengthen the relationships of people living in a community together, serving as unique partners with City staff. These groups often take the lead on their own community-scaled projects, such as coffee events with neighbors, back-toschool concerts, park improvements, and historic neighborhood tours.

Did you know that Cedar Rapids neighborhood associations that register through the City are eligible for funding to support community activities? To find out if you live in a neighborhood with an association, or to start a new one, email CommunityDevelopment@cedar-rapids.org.

The City believes every resident is entitled to the quiet enjoyment of their home and encourages all residents to do their part in supporting vibrant and attractive neighborhoods, as well as forming relationships with their neighbors. Neighbors who know one another and talk with each other create a helpful, safer, and caring community. Some tips on being a good neighbor:

Get to Know Your Neighbors

A sense of community begins with communication. Find out your neighbors’ names and basic contact information. Not only is this the friendly thing to do, but it can come in handy during tough times, such as disasters like the 2020 Derecho, needing a last-minute babysitter or petsitter, or asking for help if you’re sick or injured.

Be Active in Your Neighborhood

Go beyond just knowing your neighbors’ names. Try hosting a block party, a book club, or a cleanup day. Building community can alleviate tension and solve problems; but if you have a concern with something in your neighborhood, you can let the City know at CityofCR.com/MyCR or through the City’s app, Mobile CR. You can also use Mobile CR to check out City news and events, find your voting district, see your garbage collection day, and locate your nearest recreational amenities and library branch.

Clean Up Yards and Neighborhoods

When property owners take pride in their homes, the entire neighborhood benefits! Avoid letting trash, debris, or junk overtake your yard, and address peeling paint or other maintenance tasks that detract from your home’s beauty. Well-maintained homes help keep property values high and give the entire neighborhood a sense of pride.

Keep Sidewalks Safe

If your home comes with a sidewalk, do your part in keeping it clear, safe, and accessible for all residents, including the sidewalk ramp. Sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours of a snow event. Property owners are also required to repair damage to their sidewalk, such as cracks, buckling, or uneven panels.

Be Courteous with Parking

Avoid parking your vehicle on your lawn. Vehicles using on-street parking need to be moved every 48 hours to rotate parking throughout the year and to help with snow removal efforts in the winter.

Take Care of Your Lawn

A well-maintained lawn adds to the beauty of the entire neighborhood. Cedar Rapids’ ordinance requires property owners to keep their grass and weeds mowed below 12 inches.

The spirit of involvement is the foundation of our community. Engaging with and serving your fellow residents by giving your time is an investment in your community — and it has personal rewards, too. Benefits include a connection with others, good mental and physical health, and learning new skills. Consider volunteering your time to one of the causes below through the City’s Municipal Volunteer Program (MVP), and learn more at CityofCR.com/MVP.

• ReLeaf Cedar Rapids

• Ushers Ferry groundskeeping

• CleanUpCR and the City Manager’s 1-Bag Challenge litter pickup program

• Cedar Rapids Public Library Volunteer Program

• Citizens’ Fire Academy

• Snow Buddies

• Youth Engagement

• Adopt-a-Storm Drain and Storm Drain Markers

• Parks and Recreation Volunteers

The Snow Buddies program pairs residents in need of assistance with “Snow Heroes” — volunteers who can help clear sidewalks of snow and ice accumulations in the winter. The program is intended to benefit residents who are not physically able to remove snow and do not have other resources to do so. Snow Buddies is an annual program, and though registration for assistance is now closed, we still need snow removal volunteers!

Sign up at CityofCR.com/SnowBuddies.