Linden Neighborhood Connection

The fall of 2008, Gladstone city staff held meetings with Linden residents to discuss the Neighborhood Development Program; the age and condition of housing; Gladstone development and redevelopment plans; crime statistics, property maintenance and property values. A core group of residents volunteered to work with Carolyn Vellar, a community development consultant, to establish an active neighborhood organization and increase the participation of residents in the preservation of Linden neighborhood.

Over the last year, residents volunteered to serve on the board of directors; monthly neighborhood and board meetings were held; a monthly newsletter was written and delivered by volunteers to every household; volunteers assisted residents with brush and leaf collection and bulky item collection. Residents who have lived in the neighborhood for over 50 years have become reacquainted and are sharing the history of the area with new residents.

Neighborhood leaders established relationships with city staff and officials; and residents participated in the Gladstone Future Leader's Academy. Residents helped sponsor the 2nd Annual Gladstone City Council Candidate Forum with four other neighborhoods. The final project this year was to participate in a neighborhood workshop and prioritize projects that could be completed over the next three years.