Originally published in the Guelph Mercury, Oct 4^th 2007. Deirdre Healey - Born and Raised I wouldn't say I was spying, more like observing, and I had nothing but good intentions. I needed to find out what these people living in the south end were all about and what better way to learn than to watch them in their natural habitat? So I decided to check out the Clairfields' Fall Fiesta this past weekend. I even went with a bona fide Clairfields' resident to help legitimize my presence. What I saw when I got there was a lot of kids. <!--more--> They were everywhere -- lining up to get their faces painted, decorating pumpkins, flying through the air in the bouncy castle. There were at least twice as many kids as adults. But what was even more impressive was the fact that a number of these kids knew each other and were friends. People living in the south end actually socialize with their neighbours, have joint garage sales, neighbourhood soccer games, Earth Day cleanups and fall fiestas. Last weekend was their third annual fiesta and more than 300 people showed up. I realize there are a dozen neighbourhood groups in Guelph that also work hard to organize community-building events. But after visiting every one of the neighbourhood group websites, I must say Clairfields is one of the most active and up to date. These guys have the whole community-building thing down to a science. They even have a quarterly newsletter that is delivered to residents' mailboxes. As someone who has lived in Guelph almost her entire life, I admit I have harboured some feelings of resentment against the south end. For years, I have thought of the area as just a vast stretch of houses stuck to the bottom of the city like chewed gum to the sole of a shoe. I thought the residents were only living in Guelph to make it easier on their commute. They didn't want any part of Guelph, but were set on establishing their own elite community, isolated from the rest of the Royal City. As a result, I didn't want much to do with the place. To me, the south end was just something that got in the way from making a quick exit out of the city. However, over the years a number of my friends, who also grew up in Guelph, have moved out to this area of the city. In a majority of the cases, their decisions to relocate happened right after they were married and just before they got pregnant. They left their apartments or townhouses conveniently located within walking distance of the downtown bars for bigger homes that they could fill with children. I never used to understand why they felt the need to migrate to the south end instead of buying a bigger house closer to the core. I think I get it now. The homes in the south end are suited for young families. Most have at least three bedrooms and are affordable. Of course these spacious houses come with tiny backyards and a landscape that has yet to build character, but the fact is three-bedroom homes near the downtown are not only hard to come by, but expensive. Another enticing characteristic of the area is that there are plenty of other families nearby to socialize with. The chance a child will find a friend within two or three houses of their own is extremely high and I am sure that is a selling point for new parents. Plus the older kids in the neighbourhood come in handy as babysitters. Then there are the trails and parks that are scattered throughout. Nick's Dragonfly Park is one of the best parks in Guelph. It's perfect for families. There's no question the south end is meant for young families. And I think the large population of families living in the area is what makes Clairfields such a close community. Children foster an environment that encourages parents to build relationships with their neighbours and to participate in community events. Despite the overwhelming number of kids, my visit to Clairfields was an enlightening one. Although I have no plans to start house hunting in the area, my resentment toward the south end has definitely faded. Deirdre Healey is a Guelph-based communications officer and freelance journalist. Her column appears on alternate Thursdays. Letter to the Editor Response Council still ignores Clairfields' needs October 12, 2007 Todd Dennis Dear Editor - Re: "South-end suspicions not true: (Guelph Mercury, Oct. 4). I have to say, Deirdre Healey's column impressed me. A Mercury columnist used actual hands-on experience and communication, plus doing website research, before writing an article. Let's see, what did Ms. Healey point out -- families, friends, vibrancy, networking, community building, closeness and communication. Gee, that sounds like a neighbourhood I'd like to live in. It's too bad more of Guelph, and our city representation, doesn't get it. We remain the highest taxed and least serviced part of the city, and city council continues to ignore our needs. In spite of that, we keep trying to make our corner of the world a better place. Hopefully, other parts of the city will realize we are part of the city and not just commuters. Our survey in the past showed that the Clairfields neighbourhood has a similar commuter percentage as the rest of Guelph. The paper's managing editor lives here, why does it take a "suspicious visitor" to tell people about the best neighbourhood in the city? Ms. Healey, you're welcome back for any of our events, and don't worry, the kids don't bite -- not many anyway. Todd Dennis, chairperson, Clairfields Neighbourhood Group