Clearwater Neighborhoods Day 2022 proved to be a resounding success with 30 neighborhoods participating. The city-wide event was held on Saturday, March 26, 2022 and celebrated community spirit.
City of Clearwater staff and elected officials visited neighborhood block parties for the first time since 2019.
The neighborhoods that participated were Bayview Heights, Brigadoon, Clearwater Beach, Clubhouse Estates, Coachman Ridge, Country Hollow Park, Del Oro Groves, Eagle Estates, Eagles Glen, Edgewater Drive, Elysium, Fairwood Forest, Grovewood, Gulf-to-Bay Acres, Hillcrest/Hibiscus, Imperial Park, Island Estates, Lake Belleview, Morningside-Meadows, Northwood West, Oak Acres, Oak Grove Estates, Plaza Park, Shady Oak Farms, Spring Branch, Westchester Lake Town Homes, Woodgate I & II, and Woodgate III.
Participating neighborhoods applied for grants for the costs of operational equipment, such as tents, barricades, port-o-lets, cooking areas and inflatable amusements such as bounce houses.
The first party began at 8 a.m. with an awesome pancake breakfast at Clubhouse Estates, with the other neighborhoods staggering their starting and ending times. Some festivities continued until 7 p.m.
The Morningside neighborhood held their gathering at the Morningside Rec Center and opened it to residents from all over Clearwater. Attendees enjoyed two pools, a splash pad, inflatable slide, Connect 4, and free pizza, chicken, drinks, and cookies.
The Spring Branch neighborhood held their festivities at State Street Park
and the Plaza Park held their party at … you guessed it, Plaza Park.
The Kona Ice Truck circulated among the neighborhoods with free flavored ices.
The newly renovated Belmont Park reopened with a ceremony attended by the Mayor, City Council members, City Manager, Chief of Police, Parks Director and a whole slew of city employees from the Communications and Parks Departments.
Officers from the Clearwater Police Department were on hand to play football, basketball and soccer with the myriad of kids that attended.
Representatives from various area businesses – including the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Community Service Foundation, Horseshoe Pitching Club, Hispanic Outreach Center, and Community Dental Clinic provided information.
The Lake Belleview Neighborhood hosted a cookout with hamburgers and hotdogs, DJ, crafts, raffle, bounce house, and basketball shooting contest.
Speeches were given from Mayor Frank Hibbard, Police Chief Daniel Slaughter, Parks Director Jim Halios, CEO of the Community Service Foundation Ed Thiebe and Lake Belleview Neighborhood Association President Dagmar Ortiz.
The City of Clearwater’s Neighborhoods Division aims to empower residents and neighborhood associations to build community and create flourishing, connected neighborhoods. This division provides resources to residents looking to form a neighborhood association, facilitates and attends neighborhood meetings, organizes important community building events (like Neighborhoods Day), and refers residents to resources for resolving neighborhood issues. For more information, visit https://www.myclearwater.com/government/neighborhood-services.
Photos from the City of Clearwater:
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Feature photo courtesy of the City of Clearwater
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