2003/2004
Mayor’s Neighborhood Matching Grants

Project Summaries 

The Ashbury Park Community came together to promote the beautification of the Crystal Lake Drive Community Wall with landscaping. In addition, the Lake Terrace water fountain was illuminated for viewing at night.

The project addressed the needs of community members by engaging them in diversified activities to enhance the social, educational, cultural and personal aspects of their lives. Neighbors participated in self-improvement workshops, book club readings, and history tours. Seniors served as tutors to the youth, sharing test taking strategies and providing encouragement to help them understand the importance of passing the SAT, FCAT, CTBS and other tests.

The Dover Green Condominium MNMG project was to remove and replace the existing wooden clubhouse deck with durable composite decking. By replacing the existing deck, a safer surface is in place for community residents.

As a new City of Orlando neighborhood, the Fairview Vista Condominium community wanted to look more like it belonged in “The City Beautiful”. The landscape project not only enhanced the pride each individual takes in the appearance of the community, it also created community spirit through involvement of the entire community in this common goal.

This project addressed four important needs of the neighborhood: identify seniors and their needs in a disaster, train or refresh the training of Community Emergency Response Team members, reorganize the Neighborhood Watch program, and prepare a Neighborhood Disaster Plan. The hurricanes of 2004 were a true test of the important project goals being accomplished.

This project was a basic skills Internet technology program designed to assist 20 senior residents of the neighborhood in improving their lives through technology. Seniors learned how to surf the Internet, send and receive e-mails, research data and use a digital camera.

Liberty Square Condominium Association wanted to build pride in the community. Replacing an old fence with a new one and trimming large trees has helped neighbors respect where they live. The clubhouse was enhanced by replacing the carpeting and paint as well as landscaping.

This project’s major goal was to increase the safety of the neighborhood. By lighting the sign located in a wall, the corner is safer. Many people frequent the various stores in the shopping center. Safety is always a concern for dark areas. The new lights have helped increase safety. In addition, this experience has established many new neighborhood partners.

The Metro West Unit #5 Homeowners Association, which represents three subdivisions, increased the identity and visibility of its communities by constructing an entranceway feature containing the names of all three subdivisions in an island roundabout in the middle of an intersection.

This project created a common area playground for neighborhood youth, which is a priority of the NorthLake Park at Lake Nona Community Association. Previously, the neighborhood did not have a common area for families to gather. The association constructed a playground on common land owned by the association. The playground had two primary areas, one play area for toddlers and another play area for older children.

The neighborhood Association added lighting to its two neighborhood identification signs. The signs help to create a “sense of place” in the neighborhood that is vital to creating and maintaining a strong community. The added lighting creates a clear identification of the neighborhood, even at night.

The project enhanced the entranceway to the Renaissance condominium community, which is seen by all Ventura residents. The “Project Kick-off Get Together” created a great spring board to get the community involved and raised additional funds. Raintree Condominium community members completed the preparation for the installment of the sign, prepared the land for planting and helped select the shrubs and plants. Thanks to generous donations from partners and friends, the beautification program was extended into other areas in our community.

The Renaissance at Lake Ivanhoe did not have a residential identity and was often mistaken for a hotel. This project enhanced its identity as a residential community by constructing a neighborhood identification sign in front of its building.

The Rock Lake neighborhood project was a resourceful way to enhance the lives of the neighbors and establish fertile ground to promote civic involvement and community relations for years to come. One of the partners, Rock Lake Elementary School, made significant contributions and provided the opportunity to build and fortify an important relationship. For the youth, the benefit was the opportunity to see the community work together toward a common goal and successfully implement programs that included their interests. Other neighbors saw an active organization, which will increase their desire to be a part of future activities.
 

Sunbrook Villas completed a landscaping beautification project designed to enhance the neighborhood for residents to enjoy and to bring a sense of pride to the community. The volunteers successfully improved the entranceway with hacienda brick bordered flowerbeds and large planters, which provided better definition and visibility, while distinguishing the neighborhood. Additionally the project improved the overall appearance of landscaping in the common areas, including a “central park-like” area where residents can sit, relax, meet, and socialize.

The Washington Shores Neighborhood Association’s project addressed a need of its large population of senior citizens. The association sponsored a series of workshops and activities for the seniors that taught them how to protect themselves against consumer scams, and how to maintain a safe living environment in their home and community. The association also sponsored a neighborhood safety fair.

This association created a sign, which is a beautiful way to announce The Willows Neighborhood, and demonstrates that there are homeowners living within this community who take pride in the area. Another part of the project included landscaping around the sign to provide a lovely landmark for those who pass by.