Take Advantage of Community Matching Grants to Spruce Up your Neighborhood!

Metro area neighborhoods are finding extra funds to do beautification and environmental projects by tapping grants made by a number of city governments and entities across the Metroplex.

Community workday at Cambridge Place at Russell Creek HOA

A case in point is Cambridge Place at Russell Creek HOA. The HOA is the recipient of a matching $10,000 Neighborhood Vitality and Beautification Grant from the City of Plano. Their project improved a former playground area that backs up to the public walking trail and that is adjacent to the neighborhood pool. To read about the neighborhood project, see the CMA website.  A photo album of the community workday can be viewed here.

Beautiful, sustainable communities improve property values and enrich the quality of life for the residents.  Many homeowners volunteer and invest "sweat equity" in projects to reap the benefits for everyone in the neighborhood to enjoy.

The Plano program began in 2014.  Read more information and matching grant guidelines for the program.  View a description of the HOA's award-winning project with photos.

Matching grant programs, such as that in the city of Plano, are offered in other communities as well. A partial listing is shown below, gleaned from municipal websites which publicize grants for neighborhood groups.  Please contact your local city or other organizations to verify if the information is current and learn if programs are available to your community.

City of McKinney—Public parks and open space improvement projects are available through the McKinney Community Development Corporation.

City of Carrollton-- Neighborhood Enhancement Matching Grantprogram

City of Denton--  Keep Denton Beautiful Neighborhood Beautification Grants

City of Rowlett—Neighborhood Beautification Grants

City of Dallas/city of Irving –Tree planting programs

City of Richardson—Neighborhood Vitality Program

City of Cedar Hill --  Neighborhood Matching Grant Program 

Garland—Neighborhood Vitality Grant Program

Desoto -- Neighborhood Grant Program   

Keep Texas Beautiful

Why not take the lead to uncover free funds to do projects that will make your neighborhood an even better places to live? 

Tips to be a Good Neighbor

Being a Good Neighbor

These are a few basic etiquette rules to be a good neighbor.  The ultimate goal is to live in peace and harmony, and even though that’s not always possible, you can at least do whatever it takes to prevent hostilities and long-lasting hard feelings.

Follow the Golden Rule to be a good neighbor. These are people you are likely to see everyday, or at least fairly often. You don’t want to have to lower your head in shame after you know you’ve misbehaved.

• Observe and respect your neighbor’s personal space.
• Try not to borrow anything, but if you must, return the item immediately after using it. If you break the item, pay to fix it or replace it.
• Don’t be the neighborhood gossip. That’s just rude and will eventually come back to bite you.
• If you have an issue with a neighbor, go directly to that person and discuss it in an adult manner. Don’t call the cops unless you are threatened.
• Not everyone is a dog or cat lover, so show responsibility for your pets. That includes keeping them off the neighbor’s lawn and picking up after them.
• Remember your neighbors during the holidays with a card or small homemade gift.
• If your neighborhood has a homeowner’s association, know the rules and follow them. 

Source:  http://etiquette.about.com