On Saturday, September 12th, thirteen Clearwater neighborhood associations joined the Mayor and council members at the Countryside Recreation Center, for the Clearwater Awards for Neighborhoods (CAN). A total of 19 awards were presented, with cash prizes to fund future community projects.
The first-place winners were:
Mayors Award of Excellence
• Edgewater Drive Neighborhood Association (Grand Prize: $5,000)
City Council Award for Charity and Volunteerism
• Morningside Meadows Homeowners Association
City Manager’s Award for Beautification
• Village on the Green Condo II
Development and Neighborhood Services Director’s Award for Creativity
• Mission Hills Condo Association
Most Improved Neighborhood Association
• Old Clearwater Bay Neighborhood Association
Best Crime Watch
• Del Oro Groves Estates and Mission Hills Condo Association
Best Communication
• North Greenwood Community Coalition and Village on the Green Condo II
Most Attendance at City Functions
• Bayview Heights Neighborhood Association
Adopt-A-Neighborhood
• Skycrest Neighbors
Healthy and Fit Neighborhood
• Island Estates Civic Association
These neighborhoods, and the others who participated and won, are at the heart of the City of Clearwater. In addition to the official recognition, they have the satisfaction of knowing that they are doing their part to make Clearwater a desirable place to live. They exemplify what it means to be a good neighbor. This community spirit is what truly brought these associations together.
While there may have been some concern over this being the last year of the city’s neighborhood services, Charles Wilson of the city’s Department of Public Communications made it clear this was not the case. What may have been confused was the CAN Program with the Neighborhood Program itself. CAN was a three-year pilot program, and only a small part of the city’s overall neighborhood strategy. The neighborhood associations existed and thrived before CAN and will continue to do so now.
As Mr. Wilson stated: “The City of Clearwater wants its residents to be involved. Involved in their neighborhoods, involved in city events, involved in government processes, and involved in families and communities. Everybody wins.” Maurice Mickens of the North Greenwood Community Coalition, added: “The neighborhood program as conducted by the City of Clearwater has revitalized the community and we are happy to know it will continue.”
For more information or to start a Neighborhood Association in your own area you can email Mr. Wilson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.