Building Community, One Neighbor Cafe at a Time!
Building Community, One Neighbor Cafe at a Time!
On a bright Saturday morning, Kimberly Bolding’s yard was alive with conversation, laughter, and the unmistakable buzz of neighbors coming together with purpose.
Hosted by Kimberly, the latest Neighborhood Café highlighted how strong—and growing—the Pike’s Peak Park community truly is. 18 neighbors attended, including both familiar faces and new ones.
The gathering was centered around a clear goal: to connect, listen, and begin shaping the future of our neighborhood—together. Kimberly kicked things off with a well-crafted agenda, guiding the group step-by-step through thoughtful discussions and interactive activities. The day began with introductions and a lighthearted icebreaker, then quickly moved into meaningful conversations about what they love about their neighborhood and what challenges they’re ready to tackle.
Community Highlights:
● Favorite Things: Neighbors shared their appreciation for the quiet streets, long-standing relationships, and the overall neighborly spirit that defines the area.
● Concerns Raised: Safety, traffic, and especially damaged sidewalks were voiced repeatedly. One neighbor in a wheelchair shared her difficulty navigating her own street due to severe sidewalk deterioration—a concern echoed by many.
● Next Steps: Several neighbors committed to taking action, including contacting local news (KRDO’s “Road Warrior” Scott Harrison), and attending the 2025 COS Walkability Summit to advocate for sidewalk improvements under the city’s 2C initiative.
New Ideas in Motion:
Breakout groups generated an impressive list of ideas and immediate action steps:
● Creating a Facebook group: Hey Neighbor Pike’s Peak Park (logo complete!)
● Launching a neighborhood group chat ● Planning a street-wide garage sale and block party
● Forming a hospitality team to support sick or shut-in neighbors with cards, meals, or check-ins
● Establishing a community book library
● Organizing ongoing lawn and sidewalk care
Acts of Kindness That Stood Out:
One of the most moving moments of the day was the community’s response to a young military family. With the husband soon to be deployed, neighbors immediately stepped up to offer help to the mother and her two young children. In fact, a BBQ support gathering was planned for the very next day.
Another touching story came from a long-time neighbor who used to snow-blow sidewalks for the community before dawn. Due to health concerns, he can no longer continue—but his good deed inspired others to pick up where he left off. A volunteer snow-blower list is now in place to ensure no neighbor is left behind this winter.
What’s Next?
● Community BBQ to support our military families
● Planning the next Neighborhood Café, hosted at another neighbor’s home
In a world where neighbors often feel like strangers, the August 16th Neighborhood Café was a refreshing reminder that connection, compassion, and collaboration are alive and well in Pike’s Peak Park. The only question now is: What will we build together next?
