Everyone has their favourite places and the City is now inviting people to submit photos of these places for the chance to win a contest.

From now until July 31st photographers of all calibres are being asked to take a new photo or submit an old one they love of neighbourhood elements they enjoy whether it be buildings, parks, fields, streetscapes or more.

“We want Red Deerians to show us elements of neighbourhoods that they love and why,” said Tara Lodewyk, planning manager with the City of Red Deer.

Lodewyk said Red Deer’s neighbourhood design standards are changing because they are almost a decade old.

“We want to encourage a conversation about neighbourhood design and the photos are a great way to do just that.”

The photographs will help for future plans regarding design changes in the City including the downtown core, parks, neighbourhood standards and public spaces.

Residents can enter for their chance to win one of three $100 Recreation, Parks and Culture (RPC) gift cards just by submitting their photos.

“Whether the photos are from their own Red Deer neighbourhood or from across the globe we want to know what neighbourhood elements such as housing types, streets and public spaces are important to Red Deerians.”

Not only will the submissions be reviewed for ideas regarding the City’s future design, each will be shared on the City’s facebook page where other residents can view and comment on the photos received.

“The photos and feedback are invaluable. We will incorporate the pictures and ideas shared by residents into the new standards. It will help shape future Red Deer neighbourhoods.”

Early submissions could garner two people an early-bird prize of $50 RPC gift cards. The early bird draw will be on July 4 with the grand prizes being drawn on Aug. 1.

Deadline for entry to the early bird draw is July 3 and for the grand prize it’s July 31.

Fortunately for shutterbugs in the community there is no limit to the number of submissions per contestant. Each submission is to be accompanied by a short explanation of why the items in the photo comprise one’s favorite neighbourhood elements.

The goal of the competition is to create, design, and plan Red Deer to reflect the character of its citizens.

Full rules and regulations can be found online at www.reddeer.ca/pictureit. To follow the contest online visit www.facebook.com/thecityofreddeer.

-Palardy