NeighborWorks Pocatello gets community block trailer

NeighborWorks Pocatello has a new community block party trailer.

It’s all thanks to a grant, which only 129 groups nationwide received out of 16,000 applications.

“We are so excited about this community project, we have been wanting something like this for years,” Smith said.

NeighborWorks Pocatello received a $4,250 dollar community grant from AARP to buy the trailer.

Inside is a complete party package with a barbecue grill, 10 folding picnic tables and chairs, coolers, a large canopy, a movie screen, games and a portable sound system.

NeighborWorks says building community relationships are important….and what better way to bring everyone together than a party?

The trailer makes community events a lot easier.

“This will help people not only get to know their neighbors but also just get them out in their neighborhoods,” said Lisa Smith, community engagement manager at NeighborWorks Pocatello. “In a lot of our core neighborhoods, there are a lot of unused spaces, spaces that would be great for social gatherings that would help highlight all of the amazing things that our neighborhoods have and so we anticipate that with all of this equipment ready, anywhere that anybody can use it, that we’re going to start creating the social relationships that are necessary for community improvement projects.”

Smith adds other communities have trailers for this same purpose….because it works.

“There are communities in Colorado, in Washington, in other states that have block party trailers and I think it’s because those communities are realizing the importance of social relationships and of having connected neighbors,” she said.

Smith says before it was a challenge for NeighborWorks to transport big equipment to community events, but now, its’a one-stop party shop.

The trailer will be officially unveiled to the public on Sat. Oct. 27 at the Alameda Neighborhood Halloween party at Alameda Park at 3 p.m.