A city of neighborhoods

GREEN BAY – Beginning in 1995, Green Bay Neighborhoods (GBN) partnered with the City of Green Bay and NeighborWorks Green Bay in a mission to strengthen the city’s sense of community.

By keeping their focus on the neighborhood level, GBN proudly leads projects through their Neighborhood Associations.

Green Bay Neighborhood’s defines a neighborhood association as “neighbors living within a designated area of the city who are concerned about issues affecting their neighborhood and who have decided to work together to protect and ensure a better social, economic and business climate in their Neighborhood.”

Neighborhood associations act as a “voice” for the neighborhood residents, a somewhat official link to local government and the larger community.

Many neighborhoods find that by banding together and forming a Neighborhood Association, they are better able to meet the collective needs of the neighborhood.

GBN also recognizes and awards neighborhood associations for the many ways they provide opportunities such as mini-grants, public art, neighborhood safety and more.

John Muir Park Neighborhood Association

In 2024, John Muir Park’s Neighborhood Association was named GBN’s “Neighborhood of the Year.”

John Muir Park currency has 619 active members.

The neighborhood’s president, Melinda Eck, said they felt “very honored” by the award.

“We got a really cool trophy, a certificate and then $500 from Green Bay Neighborhoods to use for our neighborhood,” Eck said.

In 2024, John Muir Park hosted an interactive scavenger hunt to unveil chainsaw wooden artwork throughout their neighborhood association.

Eck said that this art project, which was funded by a $10,000 grant by the Public Arts Commission, was what she thought put her neighborhood “over the top” to win Neighborhood of the Year.

According to Eck, the scavenger hunt required over a year of preparation.
The scavenger hunt revealed 22 new chainsaw wooden art pieces, with the ribbon cutting for these displays being hosted this past fall.

John Muir Park also hosts an annual “Improve Your Curb Appeal” contest to “promote neighborhood beautification.”

The home improvements must be visible from the road to be eligible, with each winner being awarded $50.

The Neighborhood of the Year hosted a home Christmas decorating contest as an extension of the Improve Your Curb Appeal initiative this past winter.

Other notable events that John Muir Park hosts within their Neighborhood Association include annual rummage sales and movie nights.

John Muir Park also makes sure to host events for all ages.

They host both adult-only bingo, as well as themed bingo events for kids.

“We had kids lined up in a big, long line,” Eck said, noting the popularity of their “Bluey” themed bingo event.

GBN continues to work with their more than 40 neighborhoods to “improve the quality of life in Green Bay neighborhoods by facilitating resident involvement in their neighborhood associations.”

Green Bay Neighborhood’s current Chairman, Tarl Knight, says that part of his mission with GBN over the next year is to, “form new associations throughout Green Bay, connect neighbors and incentivize neighborhood activity.”

Learn more about the city’s associations in upcoming editions of the Press Times.