‘One City’ initiative a great idea for summer — and a great way to connect people

It’s a big idea that promises to be a lot of fun. And the best part is, you’re invited. Next weekend, New Haven will get its party on when it kicks off its “summer of adventure” that will take place throughout the city’s 12 districts. It’s called “One City” and the initiative was spearheaded by Newhallville’s management team.

It’s goal is pretty simple: Bring residents from all over the city closer together through shared experiences — and to do that, a series of 60 events will be held over the course of 60 days citywide to bring residents closer by giving them a glimpse into the lives of residents outside their neighborhoods.

One City kicks off with a Family Fun Expo at the New Haven Fieldhouse at 4 p.m. June 28 and runs through summer until Aug. 26.

And to meet the goal of being an inclusive city where all walks of life can mingle and experience different views and ways of life, activities and events have been created that are affordable for everyone to participate in and enjoy.

It will be “a summer to remember,” Mayor Toni N. Harp said, noting it combines the full scope of all New Haven has to offer, share and celebrate — and one that will make the city stronger through shared ideas and solutions.

We like this idea. It is a grassroots effort and a bold initiative. ‘One City’ initiative is a great idea for summer and it’s hard not to applaud the organizers.

Neighborhoods are different and each has its own distinctive characteristics specific to it. Highlighting the people or activities in it is a wonderful way to connect people.

It also brings back what many people think has become lost and has had social consequences: the loss of a collective community.

Kim Harris of the Newhallville management team wanted to find a way to bring the neighborhoods together. She brought together heads of each district’s management team to meet every month and identify or create an activity in their neighborhoods for all 60 days of the summer.

And along the way that sparked the interest of other residents eager to participate and get involved.

Harris said private citizens have signed up to put on activities, such as a vegan cooking class, bodybuilding instruction, yoga on the lawn at the PardeeMorris house and how to attract butterflies to a garden.

That neighbor-to-neighbor enthusiasm is a good sign that Harris and the Newhallville management team have come up with a people pleaser.

“We all need and want opportunities and access,” Harris said. “This could never happen without building uncommon and unusual relationships.”

Harris said she hopes a different management team will lead the initiative each year so it has sustainability.

So do we. This sounds like a winner.