A group of VLA residents have formed a non-profit society aimed at making the neighbourhood with a long-held reputation for drugs and crime a more desirable place to live.
Members of the Prince George VLA Enhancement Association have already started one project - they've secured three lots at 2307 Oak Street for a private park.
About 10 people showed up for a work party at the location last Sunday and organizers are hoping for more when they resume work this Sunday, 9 a.m. start.
If all works out, they will be hosting a "haunted Halloween forest" and block party at the site on Oct. 31.
Another initiative in the works is a "tool library" to be located in the back of the property, aimed at giving low-income residents the equipment they need to spruce up their own properties.
Lee Stewart, one of the association's directors, has been drumming up donations but will also be a prime source of items.
"I have an obscene amount of tool, tools I haven't taken out of the box that I had just gotten on sale at Canadian Tire, we're going to throw those in," Stewart said.
"Because I might use that tool once every two or three years but that particular tool could be used to help create a dream."
The tools will be stored in a steel container that Stewart said will be theft proof while the site will be equipped with security cameras. As well, Stewart lives two doors away from the park while another member lives next door.
Along with that, the association is working to establish a corps of young people who can help elderly and disabled residents maintain and improve their homes.
"I guess it's the old-fashioned neighbours helping neighbours, and in that process our community is going to certainly benefit and the city as well, because if you think of the expense to our taxpayers to have police presence constantly at the same places dealing with the same people,"
The VLA did not always have such a poor reputation. Formally known as the Veteran Lands Administration neighbourhood, it began as a place for soldiers returning after the Second World War to make their homes.
"It's an honourable, noble area of the city and its history is certainly one we should be proud of," said Stewart, who has lived in the VLA for about 15 years.
More information can be found on Facebook at the Prince George VLA Enhancement Association page.
