Riverside Police and Fire will join neighborhoods across the city Tuesday, Oct. 6, for National Night Out, with free gatherings at parks and community spaces from late morning into the evening.
The yearly event is a chance for neighbors to get to know one another and the people who keep their neighborhoods safe. All of the gatherings are free and open to everyone.
Here's where to go:
Bordwell Park, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2008 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Hunt Park, 4 to 8 p.m., 4015 Jackson St.
Reid Park, 5 to 7 p.m., 701 N. Orange St.
Fairmount Park Lawn Bowling Club, 5 to 8 p.m., 2601 Fairmount Blvd.
Wood Streets, 5:30 to 8 p.m., 4725 Brockton Ave. parking lot
Orange Terrace Park, 6 to 8 p.m., 20010 Orange Terrace Parkway
The four city park events, hosted by the Riverside Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, are joint celebrations with the Police and Fire departments. Families can expect emergency vehicles up close, demonstrations, information booths and kid-friendly activities. Bordwell Park's gathering is the only one held midday, an option for families who can't make it out in the evening.
The Downtown Area Neighborhood Alliance is hosting the Fairmount Park gathering at the Lawn Bowling Club, with food, music and games.
The Wood Streets gathering will feature free tacos, live music, activities for kids, a Nintendo game truck and a community raffle.
Not heading out? You can still take part from home. The city is asking residents to lock their doors, turn on their porch lights and spend a little time outside with their neighbors Tuesday evening.
Locking up is the practical part. Whether you're heading to a park event or just down the block, it's a good reminder to secure your home and car before you step out. The porch light is the friendlier part, a small signal that someone's home and paying attention.
It's also National Night Out's original tradition. When the event began in 1984, residents were asked to switch on their outdoor lights and step outside as a show of solidarity against crime. The city's event listings describe this year's event as "America's 43rd Annual Night Out Against Crime."
Some of the best neighborhood traditions exist only because people can walk out their doors and find each other. National Night Out is one more reason to do just that, with the whole city invited.
So even if you only make it to the front step, it counts. Say hello to the neighbor you've waved at for months but never met. Swap phone numbers with the people next door. That's how a street starts to feel like home.
