Being the new kid on the block can be intimidating - but it doesn't have to be. That's why we've put together some super easy (and budget-friendly) ways for you to break the ice with your new neighbours.

1. Find a fellow dog-lover

Your four-legged friend is about to become your ultimate wingman. Head over to the Sienna Wood Dog Park for a morning run-around with your pooch, where you can meet and bond with fellow dog-owners over your furry friends' (sometimes) naughty antics. You might even find yourself chatting about the next free dog training course with RSPCA, and inviting your new friend and their pup to join you. Even if you decide to sign up solo, you'll have plenty of time to connect with other dog owners during the 50-minute weekly sessions over six weeks. It's the perfect opportunity to make new friends and have a well-trained pooch - all set for those future dog-walking catch-ups.

2. Sweat it out with a running buddy

Run clubs are the latest 'in thing' for connecting with new people. And lucky for you, Sienna Wood has one very close to home. The Shipwreck parkrun kicks off every Saturday at 8am from Shipwreck Park. It's a fun, free and friendly 5km course perfect for all fitness options - whether you prefer walking, jogging or sprinting. Maybe you'll find some friendly competition in the group to race each week. Or someone who loves a good chat while you walk. If you enjoy running with headphones, no worries - we've heard there's a post-run coffee at Mooba Café afterwards, so you'll have plenty of chances to connect with others once you're out of 'the zone'. And if exercising in the cold weather isn't your thing, why not just start a weekly morning coffee meet-up at Mooba instead? Once the weather warms up, those coffee-catch-ups might even turn into walks with a takeaway cuppa.

3. Parks, playgrounds and pals

With 39% of the community dedicated to open space, why not make the most of it? At Sienna Wood, there's a space for all ages - and you might just find a new friend in the great outdoors. If you have the little ones in tow, head to Dino Park or Shipwreck Park, where you can meet and chat with other young families while the kids play and explore. For the sports enthusiasts, the basketball court, cricket nets and table tennis tables are the perfect spots to challenge a friend or neighbour to a game for some (friendly) competition. Even a simple 'hello' during a morning walk through Neerigen Brook could spark a new connection. You might end up chatting about your favourite walking routes around the neighbourhood, or find a shared love of nature and local wildlife as you explore the conservation areas together. 

4. Get fit for free (and make friends)

If a 5km run isn't really your cup of tea, how about a free outdoor yoga class instead? Our pals at Live Life Get Active are hosting active yoga sessions at Shipwreck Park throughout the week, led by new instructor Shyamala Rao. It's the perfect way to stay active and strong, find your zen AND meet new neighbours - even if the weather's a bit chilly. Plus, working out is always more fun with friends, right? Whether you bring a buddy to your first session or come solo, start with a session a week and build up from there. Afterwards, why not gather a few classmates and grab a hot cuppa from Mooba to warm up those muscles even more after a good stretch? Sounds like a plan to us!

5. Be part of the crowd at local events

There's always something exciting happening in or around Sienna Wood. Whether it's us, the City of Armadale, the Hilbert Community Network or other local vendors, there really never is a dull moment. With the recent success of the Hilbert Community Network's Shipwreck Park Summer Festival and Autumn Nights, their events calendar is heating up (or should we say cooling down) with a winter warmers movie night on August 17th. What better way to meet your neighbours than over a cozy movie and some sweet treats? And the best part? It's just a short stroll from your front door. 
    
We love keeping you in the loop with all the latest happenings, from development updates to community events and special offers. Our recent drop-in session was a hit, with residents and locals getting the inside scoop on what's in store over the next year. If you missed out, don't worry - keep an eye on our socials and quarterly resident update emails for information on future drop-in sessions, movie nights, food trucks and more.