About the Neighborhood Engagement Program 

A strong neighborhood is a place where parents feel comfortable letting their kids play outside, where families can rely on one another, and where you know your neighbor’s name. A strong neighborhood means a healthy community of individuals you trust, and who trust you.

Walla Walla’s Neighborhood Engagement Program (NEP) encourages groups of Walla Walla residents to come together and actively partner in improving their community. It does so by providing an opportunity for people from all neighborhoods and backgrounds to work together to plan and participate in programs that will contribute to the well-being of the street, block, or area in which they live.

Project Examples

There are a variety of different ways to engage with your neighbors and build community. Some examples include: a neighborhood block party; a community clean-up project; a neighborhood garden or tree-planting program; a neighborhood newsletter; an issue-oriented workshop; or a graffiti removal project. For more ideas, check out the Neighborhood Program Ideas sheet.

Summer Community Parties 

Every summer, the City of Walla Walla partners with local nonprofits and schools, and many generous volunteers to host community parties in each of Walla Walla's four wards. These events are a great opportunity for residents to have fun, enjoy refreshments, get to know their neighbors, and meet City staff and officials, and learn about local services — all in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

Each event is intended specifically for residents in that particular ward, in order to bring neighbors together and form stronger bonds, and to keep the attendance at a manageable level.

Each event is slightly different, but they all include refreshments, music, games, prizes, and more!

Check back here in spring 2025 to see the party dates and locations.

Want to Attend the Community Party in your Ward?

If you live in Walla Walla city limits, you are invited to attend the community party being held in your ward. Don’t know which ward you live in? Visit this page and enter your address on the map.

So we know how many guests to plan for, we ask that you please RSVP online by clicking the button below and telling us how many people will be in your group. The deadline to RSVP is the Monday before each party. 

RSVP to attend a party

If your nonprofit, educational, or governmental organization is interested in having an outreach booth at our community parties, you can click the button below to submit an application to attend. The deadline to register your organization is three calendar weeks before each party.

Apply to attend as an organization

Questions? Contact the organizers by email. 

City staff may record videos or photos at the summer community parties. By attending an event, you are granting permission for the City of Walla Walla to use your image anonymously in noncommercial promotional or recap materials.