Building Resilient Communities One Neighbourhood at a Time
The Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program (SNAP) is a proven solution for sustainable urban renewal that places neighbourhoods at the centre of the implementation framework. A sustainable neighbourhood is a healthy, safe, resilient place to live, work and play.
What is SNAP?
The Town of Whitby, Region of Durham, and Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) have partnered to deliver Whitby's first Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program (SNAP) in the West Lynde neighbourhood.
Over the next few years, the West Lynde SNAP will introduce a series of sustainability-related projects and programs in the neighbourhood, like planting more trees, creating rain gardens to reduce localized flooding, and making homes more energy-efficient. We are excited to partner with residents and other stakeholders to create an action-oriented plan and a better-connected and climate-ready West Lynde neighbourhood.
What is a Sustainable Neighbourhood?
Sustainable neighbourhoods have accessible, diverse, and healthy green spaces.
Sustainable neighbourhoods encourage water and energy efficiency.
Sustainable neighbourhoods manage rain where it lands.
Sustainable neighbourhoods promote healthy living through active transportation.
Sustainable neighbourhoods foster a connected community engaged in stewardship and climate action.
West Lynde
Neighbourhood Action Plan
The West Lynde SNAP Action Plan began fall 2024 and will be completed in 2026 in collaboration with:
-
local residents, businesses, community partners and leaders;
-
Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority;
-
Town of Whitby, and
-
Region of Durham
About the Neighbourhood
The area of focus for the West Lynde Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan (SNAP) is an established neighbourhood spanning over 185 hectares (457 acres) along Lynde Creek in Whitby.
This community is home to just over 7,000 residents living in blocks of single-family, semi-detached houses, townhomes and high-rise buildings, and includes:
-
Residential areas
-
Commercial areas
-
Schools
-
Places of worship
-
Trails
-
Neighbourhood parks
-
Community gathering places
-
A network of valley land along Lynde Creek
As a mature urban area, it presents:
-
natural areas and community assets that we can protect and enhance;
-
a lively and active community ready to engage in climate action; and
-
many opportunities for environmental restoration and retrofit.
If you live, work, learn or play in this neighbourhood and would like to stay informed about this exciting program, we would love to hear from you!
2025 SNAP Accomplishments
2025 has been full of new opportunities, relationship-building, and learning for the SNAP Team. Five quick-start projects were completed, focused on specific sustainability concepts and emerging priority areas of SNAP, including stormwater management, water conservation, and natural heritage. Here is what we have accomplished together in 2025:
-
750+ people engaged
-
90+ students engaged through the Sustainable Communities program at Henry Street High School
-
50 trees and shrubs planted in West Lynde’s first tiny forest
-
34 community events hosted or attended
-
30+ partners and stakeholders engaged
-
15 free rain barrels delivered to residents and Lynde House Museum
-
5 interns trained through the Ontario Job Creation Partnership
-
2 pollinator or rain garden projects initiated in schools
-
1 neighbourhood-wide survey delivered and analyzed
-
1 public open house hosted
What are Quick-Start Projects?
Quick-start projects are short initiatives designed to demonstrate the potential of the SNAP and deliver tangible benefits to the neighbourhood in its earlier phases. They provide a glimpse of the upcoming Action Plan that emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and integrated solutions with measurable impact. These projects help the SNAP Team build relationships with residents and stakeholders, laying the groundwork for future partnerships in the implementation phase.
SNAP Plans for 2026
The SNAP Team will be drafting the Action Plan to address the concerns and opportunities identified by the West Lynde community through our consultation process. The Action Plan will set goals and objectives for programs and projects that align with municipal goals and community priorities. Planned initiatives include:
-
Planting a tiny forest in Central Park
-
Expanding the Sustainable Communities program for Grade 9 Geography students at Henry Street High School, following the success of the first program
-
Designing the Are You Ready program that focuses on emergency preparedness for elementary students in West Lynde’s elementary schools
-
Creating pollinator and rain gardens in public spaces
-
Delivering a Backyard Tree Planting workshop in partnership with LEAF; and
-
More surprises on the way! Sign up for our SNAP newsletter so you can participate in the exciting year ahead, literally in your backyard. Stay tuned!
Your support and contributions have helped build incredible momentum for the West Lynde SNAP in 2025. We look forward to continuing this work together for a more connected, more sustainable West Lynde neighbourhood in 2026!
No events at the moment
Get Involved With SNAP!
Project Partners
