Arlington neighborhoods get another beauty makeover with an assist from the city

From landscaping to pedestrian walkway improvements, the City of Arlington continued its Neighborhood Matching Grant Program with more than $100,000 awarded in grant funds for seven projects recently.

Since 2007, the program has provided almost $934,000 in financial support for projects and activities that foster civic pride, enhance and beautify neighborhoods, and improve neighborhood vitality and participation.

“The best part about the Arlington Neighborhood Matching Grant program is that it allows neighbors to complete projects that are most important and impactful to their neighborhood,” said Sarah Stubblefield, Senior Planner with the city’s office of strategic initiatives.

The program is available to any group of neighbors who want to enhance their neighborhood. These funds are not only available to homeowners associations, but also to any Arlington neighbors ready to partner with the city to build up their neighborhood.

“When neighbors come together for a common cause such as these grant projects, it is often the beginning of long-lasting neighborhood relationships,” Stubblefield said.

Neighborhood Matching Grant Recipients for this round are:

▪ Waterwood Estates Neighborhood Association, Inc.: WWNA border landscape improvement, phase II, $18,190; 501(c)3 application fee, $600.

▪ Bay Lakes Estates Homeowners Association, Inc.: Bay Lakes Estates entrance sign, $3,750.

▪ Oak Lake Association, Inc.: Neighborhood brick wall and sidewalk project, $22,100.

▪ Southwind Community Association, Inc.: Collins Street Pond improvement project - phase III, $9,640.

▪ Cantor Park Condominiums Homeowners Association, Inc.: Irrigation update and landscape replacement, $9,640

▪ Tuscany Lakes Homeowners Association, Inc.: Tuscany Lakes landscape project, phase II, $20,945.

Among neighborhoods that have previously benefited from this program, the Oak Lake neighborhood has a new bridge. The old bridge was deteriorating, and families began to worry it would soon become a safety hazard. The $21,500 they received from the city covered more than a fourth of the total cost.

The next call for projects will open in August.