The United Way of Windsor-Essex has released a report aimed at using alleyways to revitalize neighbourhoods.
The report was prompted by questions from residents at the United Way's four neighbourhood engagement strategy partners, being the downtown Windsor Community Collaborative, Ford City Neighbourhood Renewal, Our West End and the Initiative Glengarry to Marentette.
Report author Fraser Fathers says there are some basics that need to be met.
"Do you feel safe when you are walking by an alley? Do you have good sightlines down the alley to see if someone is following you or hiding in the shadows? Just by meeting those basic principles, you can change perceptions of those alleys overnight," he says.
The report looks at alleys and ways they can actually help the neighbourhood.
Fathers says there already are some alleys in Windsor which work to help the neighbourhood.
"Ford City, they have a mural alley and it runs parallel to Drouillard Rd and they have permission to paint on the garages and fences all along that alley, so there is a lot of opportunity in these spaces," he says.
Recommendations in the report include creating greenways, developing commercial corridors, cycling laneways and naming alleys.
"So you put a name on something and it suddenly creates ownership," says Fathers. "So if I were to say to you, lets meet down in Maiden Lane at 2pm, so you know exactly where you want to meet, where, when and what to expect, the vast majority of alleys do not have official names."
There is close to 150 kilometers of alleyways in the city.
The report has been shared with city officials and council.
Fathers hopes the report sparks conversations on how alleyways can be better utilized.
CLICK HERE to find the report.