City Celebrates 2023 CU Pride Fest and Parade!
On September 30, 2023, the City of Champaign joined the CU Pride Fest and Parade to celebrate everything that makes us fabulous! Council members, Alicia Beck, Matthew Gladney, Kathy Shannon, Michael Foellmer and City Staff from the Equity & Engagement Department, Public Works, Neighborhood Services Department, and Planning Department all came out to walk in […]
Designated Procurement Initiative Event
On August 7, 2023, the Equity and Engagement Department introduced the Designated Procurement Initiative to interested small business owners. The Designated Procurement Initiative is a program in which the City of Champaign will set aside contracts for small, local, and low-income business owners. DPI was designed to increase the capacity of local economically disadvantaged contractors […]
Neighborhood Services Hosts Game Night
On August 3, 2023, Neighborhood Services hosted a game night at Providence at Thornberry. Typically held in neighborhood parks, this game night was held at the Providence club house. Families enjoyed games, music and a bounce house. Staff also invited the Providence neighbors back to the clubhouse for an education and resource fair planned for […]
‘Thank You’ Celebration!
Through the University of Illinois and Champaign Community Unit 4 School District, the City welcomed 19 interns and Youth Employment Services (YES) students to join our staff this summer. These students were able to see the ins and outs of how the City works while getting hands on experience in eight different departments. On July […]
Hedge Pop! Park-Art and Gardening Day
On July 21, 2023, the Equity and Engagement Department hosted an Art and Gardening Day at Hedge POP! Park from 2:00 pm -5:00 pm. The event provided an opportunity for children from the Garden Hills neighborhood to learn basic gardening skills and create artwork. A variety of Blueprint partners attended the event including CU TRI, […]
Neighborhood Services Hosts Game Night in Hedge POP! Park
On Thursday, July 13, 2023, Neighborhood Services hosted a game night in Hedge POP! Park. Game nights are hosted in various parks throughout Champaign to encourage residents to gather outside for an evening of fun and engagement with one another. The Hedge POP! Park game nights are part of a series of events planned through […]
National Make a Difference to Children Month
During the month of July we recognize National Make a Difference to Children month! Staff from the Equity and Engagement Department decorated the City Building display case to highlight just a few of the many wonderful organizations in the CU area that work to make a positive impact in children’s lives. A great way to celebrate this […]
STEM Day at Hedge POP! Park
On June 23, 2023, the Equity and Engagement Department was joined by staff from multiple City Departments to host a STEM Day at Hedge POP! Park. This event was hosted to promote STEM activities, engage children in the Garden Hills neighborhood, and provide educational resources to residents in the community. The event was supported by […]
Summer Kickoff Celebration at Hedge Pop Park
On May 26, 2023, the City of Champaign came together to host a Summer Kickoff Celebration at Hedge Pop Park. The City’s Equity and Engagement Department, with the assistance and support of the Police, Planning, Public Works, and Neighborhood Services Departments were there to make sure this was the best event possible. Multiple Blueprint partners, community organizations, […]
Summer Kickoff Cookout
On May 31, 2023 Country Brook Apartments hosted its third annual block party to kick off summer 2023 for the residents. Country Brook partnered with various Blueprint partners such as TRI, DREAAM Academy, and Y on The Fly to organize the block party for neighborhood residents. The overall goal of the event was to promote […]