Neighborhoods

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Neighborhoods are the basic building blocks of the community, and their health and vitality are essential to the future of Eau Claire. Citizens organize neighborhood associations in order to address problems in their area and to look for ways to improve their neighborhood. What may seem impossible for one person alone to achieve, becomes much easier to accomplish when citizens and their neighbors band together with common goals.

A neighborhood association is a voluntary organization of residents and other stakeholders who work together to improve and maintain the quality of life in their neighborhood. In the late 1970's residents in five of Eau Claire's older neighborhoods organized the following associations:

Historic Randall Park
Mt. Washington
North River Fronts
North Side Hill
Third Ward

All of these associations, with the exception of Mt. Washington, were still active twenty years later.

In 1996 Eau Claire began experiencing a steady increase in the number of neighborhood associations. Residents on Runway Avenue formed an association in 1996. East Hill residents organized in 1997, followed by residents in the East Hamilton area in 1998. In 1999 residents in the Mt. Washington neighborhood re-established their association. Buffington area residents organized an association in early 2000. Most recently, Putnam Heights organized in 2015.

The City's Planning Division helps neighborhood areas to organize new associations and create neighborhood plans. Individual plans are adopted as elements of the City's Comprehensive Plan. Plans can be found by clicking here and scrolling to the bottom of the page. To find out whether you are currently residing in an organized neighborhood area or to learn more about how to organize an association for your neighborhood, refer to the links below, or contact Community Development at 715-839-4914, email planning@eauclairewi.gov.

Neighborhood Association Event

What is a Neighborhood Association Event?

A Neighborhood Association Event allows established Neighborhood Associations to use public spaces within the Neighborhood Association boundaries to host events for residents living within the Neighborhood Association boundary.

Requirements:

Events are Neighborhood Association events for residents within the Neighborhood Association boundary only.
Applications must be submitted by a member of the Neighborhood Association board 30 days before the event. It is encouraged that applications be submitted as soon as an event is planned to help ensure an application is reviewed in a timely manner.
City staff will review and respond to applications within two weeks. Incomplete application will delay approval.
Events must occur within the boundary of the Neighborhood Association.
- Neighborhood Association without City parks/facilities, may use the closest parks/facility to their Neighborhood Association boundary.
A Certificate of Liability Insurance ($1,000,000) that names the city as an additional insured is required.
Neighborhood Associations and event organizers are responsible for knowing what is and is not covered by their insurance policy.
Reservations for public facilities are required.
Public spaces include, but are not limited to: parks, streets, & sidewalks.
- Some streets are not eligible for closure.
- A traffic detour plan is required, but may be altered by City staff.
- If streets are closed, agreement from impacted neighbors must be submitted.
A restroom plan will be required with the application and the City may require portable facilities.
Please detail any items that will be staked into the ground (regardless of depth). City staff will mark various utility lines to help identify where items can be staked and prevent potential damage.
Health Department rules and regulations must be followed including, but not limited to:
- Food trucks must be properly licensed. (The Health Department can be contacted to inquire if food trucks are licensed.)
Food trucks may be exempt from restricted areas for Neighborhood Association Events. Location approval is required.
The event is considered a public event, only licensed food vendors are allowed for food sales unless a temporary food permit is obtained from the Health Department.
Intoxicating liquors, fermented malt beverage (beer) and wine is prohibited on all City sidewalks and streets. Intoxicating liquors, fermented malt beverage (beer) and wine are allowed only in Carson Park, Lower Mt. Simon Park, Riverview Park, Rod & Gun Park, or the Phoenix Park Pavilion (with special permission and alcohol permit).
Non-food vendors are not allowed. Non-food items directly sold by the Neighborhood Association are allowed.
Neighborhood Associations are responsible for all clean-up after events. The City may charge for any clean-up services required after an event.
Each event requires a separate application.
- Events that have the same theme, but occur on multiple days (i.e. Movies in the Park) should be submitted as one application.
- Events occurring yearly are required to submit a new application each year.
Charges may apply for any City Services provided.
Community Services must be contacted in the event of cancellation or rescheduling of event.
All promotional material must include the following verbiage: "This event is for residents within the boundaries of (insert Neighborhood Association) only.

Unless otherwise noted in Ch. 9.57 Neighborhood Association Event, all City regulations must be adhered to.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email communityservices or call 715-839-4963.

Apply for Neighborhood Association Event

Shawtown Neighborhood

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