Community is not something that simply happens around us. It is something we build, one shared announcement, generous gesture and neighborly hello at a time.
This week, the Centennial Community Board offers a few practical ways to turn “Share. Support. Show Up.” into something more than a slogan.
Share What Your Neighbors Need to Know
A quick reminder can save someone a frustrating trip. Castlewood Library will close for scheduled maintenance beginning Sunday, August 9, with reopening anticipated in late October. Residents can continue using nearby Arapahoe Libraries, including Southglenn, Smoky Hill and Koelbel, as well as the district’s digital resources. (Arapahoe Libraries)
Have a neighborhood gathering, nonprofit event, school fundraiser or community announcement of your own? The City of Centennial Community Calendar gives local organizations and residents a central place to discover what is happening nearby. Sharing an event through your neighborhood group or social media page can help a small gathering find its people. (Centennial, CO)
Support Local Families
As families begin preparing for another school year, food security remains an important community need. SECORCares, located just southeast of Centennial, operates a free food market and provides volunteer opportunities for residents who want to help neighbors facing financial hardship. Volunteers support food distribution and other programs serving families throughout the south metro area. (SECOR Cares)
Arapahoe Libraries also welcomes adult and teen volunteers for opportunities that may include literacy programs, summer reading activities, shelving materials and supporting the Friends of Arapahoe Libraries. It is a meaningful way to contribute a few hours while helping one of our most accessible community resources flourish. (Arapahoe Libraries)
Show Up and Connect
Sometimes community participation is as simple as leaving the house and joining the gathering.
On Saturday, August 8, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Arapahoe County Master Gardener program’s Gardens of Distinction Tour invites residents to explore local gardens, meet passionate gardeners and gather ideas for their own Colorado landscapes. (Arapahoe County)
Families can also visit the Welcoming & Belonging StoryWalk® at Smoky Hill Library through August 14. The outdoor experience features the French-English bilingual picture book Kende! Kende! Kende! and offers a gentle, inclusive way to combine reading, movement and conversation.
Looking further ahead, mark August 30 for Colorado 150: Celebrate the Centennial State at Cherry Knolls Park. The free celebration is scheduled to include music, food trucks, family activities and a drone show honoring Colorado’s 150th birthday.
Centennial does not need every resident to do everything. It simply needs each of us to do something: share one helpful notice, support one local organization or show up where neighbors are gathering.
That is how a collection of houses becomes a community. 🏡
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Sometimes I think Centennial is overlooked, but reading this makes me glad to live here. Lots of people trying to help.
Gerry K.I get that! Sometimes it feels like Denver gets all the attention, but things like this remind me Centennial has so much heart.
If you haven’t been to a StoryWalk, you should try it. We did one at Smoky Hill last month and my kids ran the whole way!
Tina ZhaoThat sounds so fun! My niece would probably do the same. Thanks for sharing, we'll have to check one out next weekend.
Music and a drone show? My kind of birthday bash. Glad it’s free too.
We go every year to Colorado birthday events, but a drone show is new for us! My kids are going to go wild for it.
A little bummed Castlewood is closing right before school starts, but glad other branches are nearby. Digital resources save the day though.
We understand the timing is tricky, but we're glad other Arapahoe Libraries locations and online resources make it easier for everyone to stay connected and prepared for school.
I just moved to Centennial and didn’t know about these local resources. This makes me feel a little less like an outsider.
Welcome to Centennial! We're so glad these resources help you feel at home, and we hope you find plenty of ways to connect and get involved.
Mo AliWelcome to the neighborhood, Mo! Centennial has a ton of little gems like these. The more you get out and about, the more you'll bump into friendly faces.
Anyone else trying to juggle all these dates? August is going to be packed. But at least there’s plenty to do around here!
August truly is bustling with activities, but we hope all these options make it easy for everyone to find something that fits their interests and schedule.
Thanks for the reminder about the Castlewood closure. Was about to put some books on hold there!
Elena H.Glad you saw it in time! I almost made the same mistake with my holds last year. The other branches aren’t too far, thankfully.
It really does make a difference when neighbors show up for each other. Volunteering at SECOR helped me meet so many good people.
Just wish there were more evening events for folks who work during the day, but still happy to see things happening.
Sammi T.I feel the same way! Maybe if more of us ask, they'll try some weeknight events next time. It’s still nice to see activity though.
I’ve been meaning to get more involved with Arapahoe Libraries. Maybe this is the push I need to finally sign up to volunteer.
That’s wonderful to hear, volunteering with Arapahoe Libraries is a great way to connect with neighbors and support a cornerstone of community life.
Arapahoe Libraries summer reading program is so fun for kids. My nephews love picking out their prizes every year.
We're so glad your nephews enjoy the summer reading program, those prizes are a great incentive for building lifelong reading habits!
Food security is such a big issue. Glad SECORCares is highlighted, but there are other small pantries that could use support too.
Love that there’s bilingual books at the StoryWalk too. Centennial is so diverse and it’s nice to see that being celebrated.
Carmen LopezI agree! My niece is bilingual and always gets so happy when she spots Spanish in books or activities. Representation really matters.
Sometimes these things just feel like the same people showing up. Would be great to see some new faces join in this year.
Jared M.Yeah, I know what you mean. It can feel like a small club sometimes. Maybe bringing a friend or inviting neighbors would help mix it up this year.
It’s so true that sharing events through social seems small, but I’ve seen a lot more turnout for fundraisers that way. It does help neighbors meet up.
Absolutely, those simple shares really do help turn small gatherings into vibrant community events, making it easier for neighbors to support each other.
Kende! Kende! Kende! Is such a cute story, fun that it’s bilingual too. My son liked reading the French parts.
We're delighted to hear your son enjoyed the bilingual StoryWalk®, it's a great example of how reading can bring families together across languages.
Does anyone know if the Garden Tour is self-guided or are there guided visits? Never been before.
Thanks for sharing all these. Sometimes I forget there’s more to do here than just stay home!
Wayne D.That’s how I feel too, especially after a long week. There’s actually a lot going on if you look for it. Makes staying home less tempting!
Is the library closure just for Castlewood, or will it affect the other locations too? I use Smoky Hill all the time and hope it stays open.
Great question, only Castlewood Library is closing for maintenance. Smoky Hill, Southglenn, Koelbel, and digital resources will remain open and available to you.
Centennial really does a good job with making everyone feel involved. Hoping to volunteer at the library this fall.
janine_mThat’s awesome, Janine! I’ve volunteered there before and everyone was super welcoming. Hope you have a great time this fall.
I appreciate them making it easy to find volunteer spots. Not all places accept teens, but the library does and that’s awesome for my high schooler.
Lucy T.It really is great they let teens help out! My son volunteered last year and actually enjoyed it. Good way to get some experience and give back at the same time.
Cherry Knolls Park is always hosting something fun. A drone show for Colorado’s 150th sounds cool! Putting it on my calendar.
Wish more folks knew about StoryWalk at Smoky Hill, my daughter loves those. Such a creative idea for families.
Sofia A.The StoryWalks are such a cool way to get kids interested in books and being outside. I always mention it to parents at the playground. Maybe they should put up more signs!
We love hearing how much your family enjoys StoryWalk! Sharing the word helps more families discover this fun, literacy-building experience.
Really happy about the Gardens of Distinction tour! Perfect time of year for some gardening inspiration.
We're excited for it too! The Gardens of Distinction tour is always a highlight for local gardeners seeking fresh ideas and inspiration.
SECORCares is amazing. We volunteered last fall and met some really wonderful people. Highly recommend giving it a try if you have a little time to spare.
I haven’t checked out the community calendar before, but now I want to see what’s happening. Always looking for something to do on weekends.
Glad there’s a focus on supporting food security. If you have extra garden veggies, SECORCares will take them!
Cherry Knolls Park is the perfect spot for a big celebration. Hope the food trucks are good!
Wish these events weren’t all packed into August, but good to have options at least.
Pete ManningYeah, August gets busy fast. I wonder if they plan it that way for back to school? At least the weather’s still good for outdoor stuff.
Always nice to see events for the whole family. StoryWalks are such a good idea for younger kids!
Jonas_RAgreed! The StoryWalks are great for little ones with lots of energy. It's a fun way to get outside and sneak in some reading.
Thanks for the library closure heads up, I always end up forgetting when they do maintenance. Southglenn isn’t too far for me, glad we have options.
Does anyone have info on how to post to the Community Calendar? We’re planning a block party and want to spread the word.
Didn’t know Arapahoe Libraries took teen volunteers. I’ll have to tell my daughter, she loves books.
Appreciate the reminder on digital library resources! I do almost all my reading online these days anyway.
We're glad the reminder was helpful, Arapahoe Libraries’ digital resources are a wonderful way to stay connected to books wherever you are.
Anyone else think a drone show for the state’s birthday is pretty cool? Planning to take the whole family on August 30.
Love that there’s a food market like SECORCares nearby. Volunteered there once and the people were so grateful.
Thank you for sharing your experience, SECORCares truly makes a difference, and every volunteer helps make our community stronger.
I went on the Garden Tour last year and picked up so many planting ideas. Glad it’s back, will definitely check it out again this year.
Thanks for the heads up about the Castlewood Library closure! My kids will be disappointed but good to know we can use Southglenn instead.