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Highway Park Neighborhood Council

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P O Box 1768
8633187481
Website
Our Mission: To restore and preserve Highway Park through advocacy, beautification, litter removal, education, health, veterans, senior citizens, youth and children's programs, arts and cultural programs that enhance the quality of life of our citizens while serving as a catalyst for the betterment of our community. 
 
Our Community: Highway Park is a historic, predominantly African-American, "unincorporated" community about  1.2 miles south of the town of Lake Placid.   
Almost a century ago,  our ancestors created a community from unwanted land (a sandpit, swamp, and graveyard) . No one knows if the graves were an old slave burial site, Native American burial ground, or an old homestead burial place. That story is lost in the sands of time.  The area has been called by  Hilton Heights, Taylor Subdivision, East Highway Park, Harry Taylor Highway ParkTract, McGahee Addition, Sweetwater Estates Division of Twin Lakes Grove, etc.).  We know it as Highway Park!!
 
Why Choose Highway Park: Our quaint community has friendly people, excellent cooks, churches, and really great fishing. There are two nice hotels nearby and guests can rent lake front homes on line for short vacation stays. We are close to Disney World, the Seminole Reservation for gaming & airboat tours, fishing, a winery, an alligator farm, and the Everglades. Short drive to the east & west coasts.  Still get the best "honey-drippers" (our version of Italian ices) and sweet potato pies found anywhere. 
 
Located on one of the highest points in the area, our community directly fronts US Hwy 27 with viable land for businesses. Taxes are low so your home would be more affordable than in surrounding areas. A portion of our community overlooks lovely Lake McCoy and we have boat access to beautiful Lake Huntley.    Mango, orange, papaya, and other fruit trees grow throughout the neighborhood. 
What is the HPNG? For almost a decade, this small group has rallied to the needs of the Highway Park community.  HPNG was sanctioned by the Highlands County Board of Commissioners. The HPNG is now an IRS recognized 501c3 and is  certified under Keep America Beautiful  as the Keep Highway Park Beautiful Commission. Our Keep Highway Park Beautiful affilliate won the coveted National Bill Nash Award through Keep America Beautiful for excellence in program implementation and management. 
 
What do we do?  Work on behalf of Highway Park through grant writing, fundraising, special events, health seminars, educational workshops, beautification projects, and advocating improvements with government officials. 
 
What's new:  2015
- Completed another successful Health Fair at the annual Founders Day Celebration. Over 150 locals were provided free health screenings, 75 breakfasts, fun, children & seniors activities, live entertainment, and more. 
- 85% completion of The Village Green Park & Resource Center at 104 & 106 Washington Street. Purchased two lots (one with a vacant building). Currently renovating the building.
- Held GED classes in conjunction with Florida State College at the new resource center.
- Planted 15 full size (20 ft Palm Trees on Crestmore & Washington Street.
- Our own Keep Highway Park Beautiful Commission under Keep America Beautiful to help with litter reduction, recycling, & more.
Won the coveted Bill Nash Award through Keep America Beautiful.
- Hosted another successful Highway Park Rising Charity Ball
- Negotiated with Highlands County for new sidewalks & paved parking in Commercial District of Crestmore Street and Washington Street up to Village Green
What else have we done?:
  • Highlands County awarded a $727,000 FDOT beautification grant for Hwy 27 (2015 - 2016 budget cycle) with our support
  • Raised over $60,000 through events and sponsorship. Funds used to complete the restoration of a vacant building to become the Village Green Resource Center & Park at 106 Washington Street, Lake Placid, FL 
  • Hosted Annual Founders' Day Celebrations each October
  • Hosted Summer Movies in the Park 
  • Painted the Star Center
  • Purchased paint for two buildings in commercial district - owners actually painted
  • Removed broken concrete from in front of these buildings
  • Level 100 x 160 feet of property for park
  • Cleaned the historic cemetery
  • Awarded a $4,000 grant from Keep Highlands County Beautiful, and 
  • A fishing pier added to the boat dock on Anderson Street.. 
  • Our fishing pier is listed on the Highlands County Tourist Development website . 
  • The HPNG continues to seek grants and raise funds.   
  • We are currently restoring a vacant building to serve as an office and community resource center, 
  • continuing community clean-up, 
  • developing 1st community sponsored public space, 
  • conducting educational workshops, 
  • fundraising, and 
  • advocating for highway street lights. 
Who can join the HPNG? Anyone with a desire to help others. All are welcome regardless of race, creed, religion, ethnicity, or abilities.  Must be a resident or owner of property in Highway Park to serve on the Board of Directors. Elections are held annually.  Meetings are held once per month. Those members who live outside of the community may call in to the meetings. Contact us via email at [email protected], Facebook, call Tiffany Green (863) 840-2995 or via our website. WE NEED YOUR HELP. See Privacy Policy below
Future Office:
106 Washington Street,
Lake Placid, FL 33852