2024Trevor Clarke knew Florida would be hot “I have social media,” laughed the 35-year-old Michigan resident visiting friends in Carrollwood But he admitted to underestimating the power of the sun in the Sunshine State Clarke took his 2-year-old son to Carrollwood Village Park’s playground They lasted 15 minutes before going for a swim at a friend’s nearby home “My friends are right to complain,” he said But they were back on a cloudy morning a few days later Carrollwood Village Park and another 13 county-owned parks might receive more manmade shade if voters renew the Hillsborough County Community Investment Tax on the November ballot Approved by voters in 1996 for 30 years the half-cent sales tax funds capital improvement projects throughout unincorporated Hillsborough Voters can reapprove it for another 15 years. If they do, Hillsborough has a $2.6-billion wish list. Projects include bridge replacements, repairs to Amalie Arena and Raymond James Stadium, nine new fire stations and stormwater infrastructure. In all, the shade initiative would use around $8 million of the tax funds by adding shade sails over playgrounds in Progress Village, Carrollwood Village, Cross Creek, All Persons Rotary, Northdale, Apollo Beach, West Park, Sadie and Bloomingdale parks. Plus, it would add covered structures around basketball courts at Roy Haynes, Apollo Beach, Northdale, Winston, Keystone, Egypt Lake and Turner/Bartels parks. “There’s nothing better than to go to the park and be able to play and enjoy yourself and not feel like you’re just baking in an oven,” said Jason Mackenzie, park planner and development manager for Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation. Shade sails, like the ones already at Skyway Park, will be added throughout Hillsborough County if voters approve to renew the Community Investment Tax in November. [ Courtesy of Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation ]Shade might not be as vital as the other Community Investment Tax proposals, but it is one the county envisions being celebrated by the everyday family. “We do get a lot of requests for additional shade in our parks,” Mackenzie said. And not just from adults with kids, but veterans with disabilities, senior citizens and anyone who wants to spend time at a county park but would like respite from the sun. “This is a great way for us to provide a better experience at our parks for our patrons.” Subscribe to our free Do & Dine newsletter You’re all signed up!Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started. shade sails are made of a porous canvas and attached to steel columns that are placed in the ground with large concrete footers They can withstand winds of up to 120 miles per hour but the droplets tend to get more misty,” MacKenzie said The basketball court metal coverings will cost around $1 million per park and allow for all activities Parks were chosen based on locality and usage give an opportunity for residents to be within a decent driving distance if they chose to go there.” But what if voters decide against extending the Community Investment Tax “We’ll look for additional funding to do some of them,” MacKenzie said “But definitely the potential for some of them happening will decrease.” For lists of all proposed Community Investment Tax projects for 2026-2041, visit hcfl.gov/government/budget/budget-information/community-investment-tax. Paul Guzzo is a former culture reporter. holiday markets and craft festivals pop up across Tampa Bay several of these markets are held outdoors allowing shoppers to enjoy the beautiful winter weather in Florida while they shop Below are just a few markets to check out this season Curtis Hixon Park transforms into a Winter Wonderland with stunning views of the Hillsborough River during November and December including a fun selection of pop-up shops featuring local wares Find an assortment of holiday gifts at this shopping event—everything from chocolates and handbags to jewelry and holiday décor This event is sponsored by the Tampa Bay Times Enjoy a festive day of shopping and holiday cheer handmade crafts perfect for your holiday gifting needs Support local artisans and find that special something to make your season bright Spend the weekend after Thanksgiving shopping for folk art paintings and more at this time-tested holiday tradition Visit https://www.facebook.com/ThanksgivingArtCraftFestival/about for more info is inspired by eclectic and bustling European marketplaces find unique gifts and explore their holiday exhibits This outdoor market allows you to enjoy the beautiful December temperatures while stocking up on holiday gifts Food and beverage vendors will be on site and the evening also features Largo’s tree lighting Holiday Village presented by the Carrollwood Village Phase II & III HOAs is a family-friendly event with holiday-themed crafts Enjoy an evening market where you can discover unique gifts and delight in festive entertainment During this seasonal market on Water Street shop local vendors and enjoy seasonal activities and performances all under the picture-perfect backdrop of the neighborhood’s holiday décor The largest annual holiday festival in Ybor City is back food trucks and Santa’s Village for the kiddos Bring a toy for Toys for Tots and enter a chance to win free prizes Grab last-minute gifts for everyone on your list groove to remixes of your favorite holiday hits treat yourself to something sweet from the donut truck get your gifts wrapped and take photos with Santa and his Elves This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Many of us are looking for ways to remain active while also staying a safe distance away from others. That's why Sarah Phinney started a ‘Walking Club’ to highlight some hidden Carrollwood Village Park is a must-see spot about 20 minutes north of Tampa Carrollwood Village Park is on the north side of Carrollwood Visitors will find plenty of ways to entertain themselves at the park Some of the amenities include a mile paved path Most of the park is not shaded so be sure to bring sunscreen and a hat keep in mind that you could see and hear airplanes flying overhead Visit for Sarah’s Walking Club Summer Challenge You can also keep up with Sarah on Instagram and Twitter Report a typo a Realtor with Keller Williams Tampa Properties and a Tampa native “Carrollwood is always going to be a hot area to live in I don’t foresee people fleeing Carrollwood ever read more about four of the homes that define the Carrollwood neighborhood One of Carrollwood’s biggest draws is its lakefront homes like this property on Bay Lake in old Carrollwood 13,000-square-foot home with a detached pool home you just don’t expect to see,” Wright says “It’s just an example of somebody finding a lot and building their dream home on it,” a common theme throughout Carrollwood this property was done in the Key West style and has a unique feel for Carrollwood While its size is certainly appealing (4,800 square feet It features 174 feet right on the 200-acre Lake Carroll and its position at the end of a cul-de-sac helps keep it somewhat secluded This home is a perfect example of the bang for your buck you can get in Tampa’s more northern neighborhoods a relative bargain compared to similar homes in South Tampa She loved looking at the earliest homes that sprung up in the Carrollwood Village planned community like this Mediterranean built back in 1974 “It’s definitely an original Florida-style home,” Wright says “It has the Spanish tiles and the curved driveway with pavers plus it has a casita above the three-car garage.” She adds that this is one of the best existing examples of the neighborhood’s first homes as they were originally designed five-bathroom Mediterranean — which features an expansive pool in the back and a statue in the middle of its circular front drive — stands out on the busy road through Carrollwood Village “It’s one of those homes where the owners found a few acres and built their dream home,” she says but with an estimated listing price of $1 million it is on the very high end of Carrollwood’s real estate county officials and residents of Carrollwood Village celebrated the opening of a new signature park on the site of a former wastewater treatment plant Last week's opening celebration marked the first phase of improvements to the 40-acre site at 4680 W Carrollwood Village residents are helping design the county park and select its initial amenities as well as future additions The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office also has a training facility on part of the property Hillsborough County paid $6.5 million to develop the parcel and is allocating more money for future development County Commissioner Ken Hagan unveiled a rendering of what the park ultimately might look like "It's been a citizen-driven process," said Hagan This is the first of several phases that will occur here We have a one-of-a-kind park here in Carrollwood Village that I believe is going to be a model for future parks in Hillsborough County." "One of the best comments I heard is one lady said she can't wait for her grandchildren to play in this park," said Rick Valdez It just shows how much parks mean to people." Among the additional amenities are a playground and splash pad The idea of turning the site into a park began as a dream president of the Carrollwood Park Conservancy "The people of this area got together and said would you please build a park?' And the county said 'Yes.'" Hudson said Members of the nonprofit conservancy are committed to using and keeping an eye on the park Photo: Development of Carrollwood Village Park at 4680 W Village Drive will continue in phases with input from area residents Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The official opening of the new Carrollwood Village Park, 4680 W Village Drive, runs from 10-11:30 a.m. on Friday (Oct. 19). The parks amenities that will be completed by the opening include walking and jogging trails, scenic boardwalk, dog park, exercise stations, pavilions, parking, restrooms and a sheriff's workout area. Future amenities are planned to be completed in 2019 when a grand opening will take place. The park was built on the former Dale Mabry Wastewater Treatment Plant site. The ribbon cutting will show off Phase I of the construction project. Funding for this project totals $6.5 million. At a town hall meeting earlier this year, residents expressed interest in having a park to got to with the family. The new Carrollwood Village Park is a place for all ages to gather, slow down and appreciate nature. This location is centrally located in the heart of a quiet, relaxing and scenic community, located on West Village Drive, just west of South Village Drive in Carrollwood Village. The Carrollwood Park Conservancy is a non-profit that was founded as a group to work alongside Hillsborough County in supporting the park and providing long-range oversight. Donations for future enhancements are being accepted and that checks can be made out to the Carrollwood Park Conservatory, Inc. and mailed to 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa, FL 33618. Contact Katelyn Massarelli at kmassarelli@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3436. Follow @katelyn_jou. When you write a Golf Advisor course review now through December 31 your review will be entered into Golf Advisor’s Rate to Escape: Maui Sweepstakes for a chance to win a five-star trip to Maui One Grand Prize winner and guest will travel in an AVIS rental car for six nights/ seven days of accommodations with the latest gear from OGIO to play on the finest fairways in Maui We’re also giving away 12 Golf Advisor Swag bags to lucky reviewers Carrollwood Country Club offers three nines that are played in three different 18-hole combinations one of them being the Meadows/Pines course which features smaller greens that the other nines When combined they create a challenging golf course with plenty of water hazards There are numerous strategically placed bunkers including smaller pot bunkers and also large waste bunkers The Meadow nine's seventh hole is considered the best par 3 at the club This 158-yard hole has a forced carry past water and a bunker to an undulating green.Formerly known as Emerald Greens Private Resort and Carrolwood Village Golf & Tennis Club Carrollwood Country Club has a very rich and interesting history The club – originally known as Carrollwood Village Golf & Tennis Club - was founded in 1972 which is about 10 miles due north of downtown Tampa was not considered part of “Tampa,” yet the club was very successful boasting nearly 1,000 golfing members and 600 tennis members It was the largest Country Club community in the Tampa Bay area Fast forward 30 years to the early 2000s and the club is undergoing an ownership and name change The new Emerald Greens Golf Resort and Country Club is about to embark on an extensive renovation project at the hands of world-renowned golf course architect Dan Maples Maples will oversee the rebuilding of all 27 holes as well as resurfacing of all greens with Champion UltraDwarf turf considered to be one of the best putting surfaces in the world A little over a decade later times have changed once again Emerald Greens Golf Resort and Country Club was sold to Concert Golf Partners finds that owning a country club in his hometown is a natural fit One of the first orders of business is to rename the club and give it a sense of community and Carrollwood Country Club is reborn Carrollwood Country Club proudly boasts 27 holes of incredible Dan Maples golf It may seem cliché but it’s a fact: 27 holes of golf equals three challenging 18-hole golf courses and this is certainly the case at Carrollwood Country Club Each nine is unique in its own right and exemplifies Dan Maples at his best A variety of strategically placed bunkers dot the landscape in several landing areas including devilish pot bunkers and large waste bunkers Water hazards abut several elevated greens which are well-undulated and roll true The majestic tree-lined fairways of pine and cypress trees on the Pine Course give it a North Carolina look and feel Water comes into play on seven of the nine holes and culminates with an island green A good drive that finds the fairway on this finishing hole may give you the opportunity to go for the green in two but beware The Meadows Course is the most wide-open of all three layouts which may allow you to spray the ball a bit but won’t help you find the smaller The 6th hole is a 390-yard par 4 dogleg right that requires a tee shot down the middle/left side of the fairway; anything to the right and your approach shot will be blocked out by cypress trees A good tee shot will leave an approach shot of about 160 yards into a green that is well-bunkered and guarded by water up the right side The seventh hole is considered the best par 3 on any of the three layouts The hole plays 158 yards hole with a forced carry over water and a bunker to a well-undulated green Carrollwood Country Club also boasts some tour-quality practice facility you’ll be glad to know that Carrollwood Country Club has an extremely active tennis membership They offer eight beautifully surfaced Har-Tru tennis courts equipped with brilliant lighting for nighttime play CCC’s staff of certified tennis professionals can help you with your tennis game as well as assimilation into leagues and an ongoing schedule of social opportunities with fellow tennis players The warm Florida weather does have its advantages and being able to keep the sparkling Junior-Olympic swimming pool open year-round is definitely one of them The centerpiece of the Tennis & Aquatic Center is surrounded by a magnificent deck of pavers CCC offers a number of regularly planned fun activities such as Kids Nights There’s a fenced Splash Pad for smaller children and a covered playground and burgers are prepared poolside at the Oasis Poolside Grille No private club is complete without a state-of-the-art fitness center The Fitness Center at Carrollwood Country Club is located inside the Tennis & Aquatics Center and features Life Fitness equipment Members can also choose from a number of fitness classes designed to work certain parts of the body or work out at their own pace it’s a great way to feel better and more energized Carrollwood Country Club has been a melting pot of family fun and memories Many of these memories are made with friends and their families; relationships that were made within the club And there is no better place to make new friends than at one of the club’s social events Whether it’s attending a Family Movie Night or enjoying each other’s company at Happy Hour Arrange a visit and see for yourself the family atmosphere that exists within the club The best way to take advantage of everything Carrollwood Country Club has to offer is to become a member and children under 24 will have full access to all 27 holes on the Meadow and Cypress courses including greens fees and practice facilities for everyone listed on the membership You’ll also receive full access to the Junior Olympic-size cooled and heated pool and carts will be charged to your member account Each guest may play with you up to 6 times per year at current guest fee rates A Junior Executive Golf Membership has the same privileges and is designed for members who are under 40 years of age Social and Tennis Members have full access to the Junior Olympic-size pool and social/dining events along with indoor and outdoor dining for everyone listed on the membership You may play golf up to six times per calendar year and have yearly access to the practice range facility at an additional fee up to six times per calendar year at the discretion of the TAC staff; fees apply you’ll also be entitled to Club benefits at other Concert Golf properties Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure your benefits will mirror those of your home club; Full Golf Members receive cart fee-only pricing and regular guest fee rates for guests and each property can be accessed up to 6 times a year Click the text box above to select the URL to share the Cypress Course is the back nine of the championship layout It is the longest of all three courses and is considered to be the most challenging Many of the holes are tight and require accuracy off the tee in order to score well Your journey starts with a tee shot that puts a premium on accuracy as water lines both sides of the fairway Success off the tee on the first hole will leave an easy approach shot to the elevated green and hopefully set the tone for a good round Non-members can play in leagues and off-peak Staff was super friendly and pace of play was great.i wouldn't avoid it but there are better options in the region Emerald Greens always impresses me with their attention to detail That indicates the property has very capable management that truly care about the golf experience offered to their members and guests but it doesn't have that snobby country club attitude Emerald Greens keeps it simple and offers a very affordable membership for those who want a relaxed yet worthwhile private property to call their own all of which have or are in the process of going to sensational Champion Bermuda greens I'm fortunate to often play as a guest here and am treated equally well by both staff and members Very well maintained course in the heart of Carollwood The club was in the process of replacing their greens on all three nines - with Atlanta Country Club type greens One of the nines we played had the new greens and the other did not The new greens were great and we had no complaints about the old greens on the other nine - they were very good The grill room is a great place for after the round - food and beverage very reasonably priced and very good Use of the driving range was included (excellent driving range) What is the address of Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course is located at 13903 Clubhouse Drive Is Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course open to the public Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course is open to the public What year did Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course open Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course was built in 1972 Who designed Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course Ed Ault (1972) and Dan Maples (2003) are the architects of Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course What type of grass does Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course have Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course has Champion Ultradwarf Grass greens What is the par of Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course The par of Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course is 72 What is the length of Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course The length of Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course is 6832 yards What is the rating of Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course The rating of Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course is 72.9 What is the slope of Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course The slope of Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course is 140 What are the course conditions at Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course other golfers are saying that the course conditions at Carrollwood Country Club - Meadows/Pines Course are excellent Enjoy all these benefits with your account Unlock a free GolfPass account to earn GolfPass Points and instantly access curated video content Upgrade to GolfPass+ for tee time credits and ability to spend Points on qualifying tee times convenient tee time booking with the largest selection of tee times Access to our Golf family of brands including GolfNow and GolfNow Compete Named one of Forbes’ Best Cities For Dogs 2022 Tampa has plenty of park options for you to enjoy with your furry friends Check out some of Tampa’s top dog parks (listed in alphabetical order) and take fido on a new outing With individual areas for small and large dogs this dog park has room for pups of all sizes It also features water fountains for people and dogs dog washes and a hitching post for everyone to utilize so dog parents can have a relaxing time while their dogs are playing A fenced-in Dog Run with artificial turf and agility equipment allows one large dog or two small (30 pounds and under) dogs per person at one time Dogs must be at least 6 months old and display county license tags Davis Islands Beach has a fenced area just for dogs as well as a designated beach area that allows pups to swim leash free Don’t worry about all that sand – There’s a house-off area to clean up your pup before loading up the car dogs of all sizes are accommodated with separate play areas for small and large breeds along with built-in K9Grass to help protect your puppy’s paws at the park The name honors former Hillsborough County Sheriff John Robert Kotfila who had a special bond with his German Shepard there are multiple fenced-in areas for your furry friends to determine which is the best fit This facility also has water bowls and a seating area with picnic tables for all the dog parents out there this features separate sections for large and small breeds multiple shaded areas and a fountain for the pups to cool off This park offers two separate areas for small and large dogs you’ll find a small open space for dogs to play on artificial turf after a stroll on the Tampa Riverwalk This off-leash dog park offers a “Pettiquette” brochure to ensure your pup has a fun and safe experience this versatile facility has options for all breeds and sizes Looking for more dog park options in Tampa? The City of Tampa maintains 16 dog parks and Hillsborough County offers nine dog parks 2013 at 6:45 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The sight of people dropping lines into Carrollwood Village’s ponds but one practice is heavily frowned upon and neighborhood officials say the action could be harmful to pond ecology That’s why residents of this community are being asked to keep their eyes open for people breaking the rules by dropping nets into the ponds in hopes of reeling in large catches “Net fishing is counterproductive to what we are trying to accomplish to improve the ecology of the ponds and is not something we would encourage nor endorse,” officials wrote on the community’s website Carrollwood Village’s ponds have been undergoing a restocking process after “almost unprecedented scale algae blooms” last summer The board has “taken measures to try and mitigate this from happening in the future by restocking all the ponds with triploid grass carp The restocking process is “long and arduous” and requires state approval since this type of carp isn’t considered native to Florida Grass carp are commonly used in the state to control algae blooms, but they are illegal to possess without a permit according to John Cimbaro of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission “Triploid grass carp are used for aquatic vegetation control and may not be stocked or harvested without a permit,” the state’s website says While pole fishing for other types of fish is permitted by Carrollwood Village residents net fishing is not allowed and could undo the work completed to keep the ponds healthy Anyone who spots a person net fishing in one of the community’s ponds is asked to call the security patrol at 813-263-8660 Keep up with what's happening around town by signing up for the Carrollwood-Northdale Patch daily newsletter! — With record-breaking temperatures this summer it doesn't take long for playground equipment to heat up and we wanted to see just how hot that equipment can get We walked around Carrollwood Village Park with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue on Thursday morning as they used a thermal imaging camera It showed some equipment in the triple digits especially if there's no cover," Captain Joseph Vranic Vranic walked us around the playground and tested unshaded equipment like swings this area here is heated to about 128 degrees which does have the potential to inflict burns," Vranic explained Experts with the Advent Health Pediatric Emergency Department said sustaining burns doesn't take long and then the second degree would be more of a 130 Even just a few seconds can actually burn the skin," Dr Kirby suggests using playground equipment that is shaded we can see the shade does make a big difference," Vranic said Experts suggest avoiding the park during the hottest part of the day to prevent getting burned and even heat exhaustion "We like to bring them early in the morning just because it's not as hot They let me know when they're ready to go," said mother Nancy Bright Bright also said she tries to go to parks with splash pads like the one in Carrollwood Kirby said parents should feel the equipment before letting their kiddos play on it that's hot enough to possibly hurt someone Hillsborough County has five evacuation zones:  To find out what evacuation zone you live in, enter your address on the Hillsborough County Emergency Management website. Print the results if you can It may even be wise to email the results to family or friends living nearby or out of state This may help if you lose or misplace the list during an evacuation If you are unable to look up your zone online People living in a mobile home must evacuate even if they are not located in an evacuation zone There are more than 60 shelters in Hillsborough County. Not all of them are activated for every storm and not all are special needs or pet friendly. Check out the complete list on the Hillsborough County Emergency Management's website to plan ahead if you need a specialized shelter The closest shelters to Carrollwood include: All of the information has been provided by the Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management. For more information, download and print the 2013 Disaster Planning Guide or visit the Office of Emergency Management online 2012 at 11:24 pm ETThey've been spotted lurking after sunset near Emerald Greens Golf Resort & Country Club they were seen roaming near Top of the Village subdivision off North Village Drive Coyotes are making their presence felt in the Carrollwood area and there's not much residents can do about it "The juveniles born this spring are the size of adults and they're becoming more independent," said Gretchen Caudill wildlife assistant biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission but people start seeing them in the fall." With an "abundant" number of coyotes in Florida, according to Pinellas County officials it's no surprise that the bushy-tailed omnivores have flocked to Carrollwood's dense Suburban settings are considered "hot spots" for the animals supervisor of community patrol in Carrollwood Village said his night crew saw a few coyotes roaming the golf course at Emerald Greens last month near subdivisions like The Cloisters off North Village Drive Graham advised the Carrollwood Village Homeowners Association send a memo to residents in the area asking them to keep an eye out for smaller pets and children Caudill offered a few tips for keeping coyotes at bay which means scaring them off everytime you see them," Caudill said it's important that these guys have an innate fear of humans." To contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife and Conservation Commission The Village Institute for Sustainable Technologies & Agriculture or VISTA Gardens is in full bloom just off of South Village Drive, near The Village Towers. It's been the brainchild of The Carrollwood Village Homeowners Association Phase III President Bill West for more than a decade. The smile on West's face as he walks and waters the 4-acre property, that's run by a solar-powered water pump, bespeaks a man watching over a lot of hard work that's finally paid off. And how has it paid off? Right now, the seasonal yield includes eggplant, tomatoes, lettuces, onions, carrots, radishes, herbs, broccoli and even roselles, the Florida cranberry. The team came together before the place. West heard Sweetwater Organic Farms founder Rick Martinez on a WMNF-FM 88.5 radio show explain how he ran a community garden and the idea stuck. Former Sweetwater president Brad Snyder teamed up with West to create a business plan and setup the non-profit. There were some choices. West could have gone with a Community Supported Agriculture model, where members pay a seasonal fee to access weekly shares of the farm's harvest. This insulates the small farmer from risk and is a popular model but that wasn't quite what West had envisioned. "At CSAs, most people just pickup produce," West said. "In this garden, everything is done by our members." Sure, The Hillsborough County Parks Department leases them the land. Sure, Mike Cammisa of CES Engineering helped clear and re-grade the property and Tom Levin of Ekistics Design helped plan it out, but the day-to-day working of the garden is completely done by members. "The best part, is that it's not relying on me," West said. "It's running itself." They started with six plots in June of 2014 with 18 members. Today they have 76 plots and 85 active members. Members pay an annual or bi-annual fee to rent either a 4-foot by 12-foot raised, cedar bed or log-edged plots in 4-by-4 increments. VISTA Gardens cooperates with local businesses. They get their mulch and wood donated by local tree trimming companies. They get their compost mix from the local restaurants and coffee houses and from the local presbyterian church's food bank leftovers. VISTA donates their leftover produce to the food bank at The Village Presbyterian Church. The cooperative nature reflected in the business collaborations is also manifested among the residents. "I've lived here for a long time and it wasn't until this garden that I've really felt a sense of community," Vista Gardens member Barb Mahlmeister said. "I've met neighbors I didn't know I had." Mahlmeister's plot is adjacent to fellow member Jeff Vecera's. Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter "My grandkids come play here and help with the gardening. I want to get them to understand that it takes work to grow food," Vecera said. "This is not something you see everywhere and you should see everywhere. Many of us are looking for ways to remain active while also staying a safe distance away from others. That's why Sarah Phinney started a ‘Walking Club’to highlight some hidden The results of the first-ever Sarah’s Walking Club Walker’s Choice Awards are in These are the parks that really stood out to members in 2021 Best overall park: Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland is one of the most popular spots in the Tampa Bay area to see wildlife an estimated 5-6,000 people visit every single week you’ll see an alligator cross a path while you’re there Learn more about Circle B by clicking here. Best park for kids: Carrollwood Village Park Families absolutely love Carrollwood Village Park Learn more about Carrollwood Village Park by clicking here. Sarah’s Walking Club members said the dog park at John Chesnut Sr You’ll also find a number of shelters at the park a softball field and miles of trails and boardwalks Learn more about John Chesnut Sr. Park by clicking here. Most accessible for all: The Tampa Riverwalk The Tampa Riverwalk earned the top spot for accessibility It stretches nearly 2.5 miles from Armature Works to the Tamp Bay History Center Remember to keep an eye on the Hillsborough River to look for wildlife Learn more about the Tampa Riverwalk by clicking here. Favorite Group Challenge: The Summer Challenge Get ideas for more places to visit around the Tampa Bay area: You can also keep up with Sarah on Instagram and Twitter. 2021 at 3:10 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Emergency call data and planning studies have listed the Lake Magdalene area as a top priority for a new fire station for 15 years FL — Hillsborough County is extending the deadline for input from the public about the proposed location of a new fire station to serve residents in the Lake Magdalene area The deadline to submit comments is Wednesday Residents and commercial property owners can click here at any time until Wednesday at midnight to learn more about the location being considered participate in the virtual public engagement and offer comments on the proposed site Hillsborough County Fire Rescue expects that response times in the Lake Magdalene area could shrink by several minutes when the new Fire Station #47 comes online The county uses response times to help determine the areas of most need for additional service Construction has begun on new stations in Central Brandon and Rhodine Road in Riverview construction is starting on a replacement for the aging station currently serving Apollo Beach Hillsborough County Fire Rescue responded to 114,644 calls for emergency fire rescue services in 2020 there's expected to be an additional 31,164 calls in the first quarter of this year Emergency call data and planning studies have listed the Lake Magdalene area as a top priority for a new fire station for 15 years the area is served by the Northdale Fire Station 15905 Mapledale Blvd.; Fire Station #48 at River Oaks 9755 Sheldon Road; Fire Station #40 Chapman The county looked at 17 sites in the Lake Magdalene area before deciding on a site located on Bearss Avenue between Lake Magdalene Boulevard and Lake Emerald Boulevard The site will allow for construction of a two-bay station with a driveway allowing rescue vehicles to drive through the station without impacting traffic on Bearss Avenue or requiring fire rescue vehicles to back up into the fire station bays Fire Rescue will use wireless traffic control technology to change the traffic signals at Lake Magdalene and Lake Emerald boulevards then stop lanes of traffic in front of the station as first responders enter Bearss Avenue minimizing the need for sirens and lights as warnings to motorists The new station will serve the communities of Avila The new fire station will cost about $285,000 Acquisition of the property is expected December The design and construction of the new fire station are currently unfunded The county’s master plan calls for more than 26 new fire stations in the coming decade Questions in English or Spanish about the virtual public engagement for the Lake Magdalene Fire Station may be directed to the Customer Service Center at 813-272-5900 On the heels of the success of the first Mandola’s Italian Kitchen in Florida FL in October 2020 to rave reviews and lines out the door the wildly popular Italian concept is set to open its second location in Carrollwood Co-Founder of Carrabba’s Italian Grill and most recently and his wife and business partner Trina Mandola are proud to announce the opening of Florida’s second Mandola’s Italian Kitchen!  The family-friendly fast-casual Italian restaurant is scheduled to open on October 4th anchoring the newly renovated Market Place North plaza ideally situated in Tampa’s bustling Carrollwood Village.  Setting itself apart from others in the category, Mandola’s distinctive restaurant model functions as a fast-casual concept – a restaurant, bar, bakery and market with a charming and lively atmosphere.  Featuring authentic Italian décor and stylish furnishings hand selected by Trina Mandola, the 7,960-square-foot Mandola’s Italian Kitchen boasts indoor seating for approximately 146 guests including 1,190 square feet of patio space for outdoor dining with seating for an additional 40 guests The Carrollwood location will be complete with an Open Bakery where guests will be able to watch behind-the-scenes as cakes pastries and other desserts are being made by Mandola’s skilled pastry chefs.  Customers will be able to purchase these items from Mandola’s signature Cafe which will also offer made-in-house dessert favorites such as espresso and cappuccino.  Additionally a variety of Italian grocery and merchandise items will be available for purchase from the Market Mandola’s Italian Kitchen will offer delicious Italian cuisine with the signature and famous flavors that have been in the Mandola family for decades.  Guests will be able to enjoy a variety of bold and memorable flavors in each made-from-scratch dish from Mandola’s extensive menu Fresh hot focaccia is served complimentary with every entrée and the restaurant will also feature a wide-ranging list of unique Italian wine and beer offerings to perfectly complement each meal which have proven to be a customer favorite.  partygoers will also be able to book Mandola’s famous Mobile Pizza Oven wood-fired pies right from the oven to the table Mandola’s also accommodates small and large-party catering options for anyone looking to enjoy delicious Italian food in the comfort of their own homes or other venues without sacrificing any of the restaurant’s fresh-out-of-the-oven taste or quality Mandola’s Italian Kitchen will be open for lunch and dinner daily from the hours of 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM as well as takeout and curbside pickup.  “We’ve received such amazing feedback from our customers at our location in Riverview and look forward to bringing our food and the Mandola’s experience to the Carrollwood community,” says Damian Mandola.  “There really is nothing quite like Mandola’s Italian Kitchen – it’s a unique fast-casual Italian restaurant offering fresh using the recipes that have been in my family for generations.  My wife Trina put her personal touches on the dining room creating a lively and spirited Italian atmosphere.  Trina and I are so excited to open this location and are confident the Carrollwood community will love it!” News Donatos Pizza continues its Texas takeover with the signing of three new franchise groups further solidifying its commitment to the Lone Star State The latest deals— two in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and one in Houston— bring Donatos Pizza’s total franchise groups in Texas to nine with seven now actively developing in DFW and two […] Story Potbelly is giving nurses and teachers their well-deserved (May) flowers as a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for all they do In celebration of National Nurses Week and Teacher Appreciation Week Potbelly is offering a complimentary cookie or regular-sized fountain drink with the purchase of any entrée to all teachers and nurses from Monday the premium coffeehouse known for its signature handcrafted beverages and creating day-making experiences the celebrated dessert company founded by two-time James Beard Award-winning chef Christina Tosi to bring select Milk Bar signature treats to Caribou coffeehouses nationwide This collaboration debuts as Caribou Coffee continues strategically expanding nationwide the neighborhood dessert destination known for its handspun milkshakes and small batch is opening its newest location in Panama City Beach on Saturday in Breakfast Point Market Place near Publix the store will welcome guests with a Buy One a fast-casual health-focused franchise known for its fresh chopped salads made to order proteins and its Create-Your-Own salad option available as a salad or wrap and exclusively for first-party orders announces the hiring of Drew Martin as Chief Information Officer Martin joins FAT Brands with over 35 years of IT experience delivering impactful results for a wide range of companies—from Fortune 500 companies to high-growth start-ups Martin will be focused on delivering scalable technological solutions to progress the growth […] Bojangles is launching its inaugural National Bo-Berry Week – a five-day celebration of all things Bo-Berry the iconic platform that’s grown from the chain’s original the week-long initiative features the highly anticipated return of the Sausage Bo-Berry Biscuits and Bo-Berry Cookies Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers a leading fast-casual restaurant concept known for its premium steakburgers and shoestring fries has begun testing the cutting-edge RoboFry X4 a fully automated fry cooking system developed by Charter House Innovations The pilot is currently underway in Freddy’s Training & Innovation Center and will move to select store locations in […] FL – Village Presbyterian Church once again will celebrate Christmas with a reenactment of the birth of Christ will host its 37th annual Live Nativity on Friday while the nativity scene will begin at 7 p.m Guests are welcome to bring blankets or chairs guests are invited to gather by candlelight to sing Christmas carols and enjoy hot cider and cookies The nativity will take place inside a custom wooden barn on the lawn guests will have a chance to take pictures with the cast and animals The nativity’s actors come from Village Presbyterian’s AGAPE youth group Participation in the Live Nativity is a bit of a rite of passage for AGAPE members with seniors getting first pick of roles in the pageant For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/villageprestampa/ Images courtesy of Village Presbyterian Church 2017 at 8:53 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}TAMPA FL – Hillsborough County is interested in turning a 50-acre plot of land in the middle of Carrollwood Village into its newest public park the Dale Mabry Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant sits on the county-owned property at 13055 Delwood Road which sits near the intersection of South Village Drive and West Village Drive Hillsborough County will host a public meeting about the project on Tuesday Attendees can ask questions and comment on the park proposal and on the proposed amenities the proposed park was requested by the Carrollwood Village community Recommended amenities of the new park include a walking/jogging trail plant/butterfly garden and other miscellaneous park equipment and fixtures A conceptual design of the project will be exhibited at the meeting The county is retiring the 40-year-old treatment plant because of increasing operation and maintenance costs The facility’s current workload will be transferred to the Northwest Regional Reclamation Facility off South Mobley Road For more information on the project, visit http://hcflgov.net/en/government/county-projects/building-community-projects/carrollwood-village-community-park Image via Hillsborough County Government Facebook page 2013 at 6:22 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}This story was written by Associate Regional Editor Sherri Lonon Coyote sightings in the Tampa Bay area are nothing new but reports of aggressive behavior are sending up red flags for some residents The wild canines have been linked to the deaths of two sheep in Northwest Hillsborough County and now some say they might also be responsible for missing dogs and cats in neighborhoods there, according to The Tampa Tribune Coyote sightings have occurred in recent years in Carrollwood Village, Northdale and nearby Pinellas and Pasco counties, according to a previous Patch story They’ve also been spotted in such urbanized areas as South Tampa and near Ybor City in recent months Concerns about frequent sightings even led one Hillsborough County Commissioner to delve deeper into the topic. Ken Hagan asked county staff last year to explore the issue and provide advice to residents on how to protect themselves and their property from not just coyotes Coyotes have been a growing presence in Florida for decades “Coyotes are part of the landscape of Florida now and they’re here to stay,” Angeline Scotten of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission told the Tribune “They have high productive rates and they eat virtually anything It’s not economical and it’s not feasible to remove coyotes from Florida Check out the Tribune’s full story here. Have you spotted coyotes in the Carrollwood area Tell us about your encounter by commenting below 2023 at 5:14 pm ETA Florida state trooper walked away from a totaled patrol car with only minor injuries following a New Year's Day crash (FHP)A Florida state trooper walked away from a totaled patrol car with only minor injuries following a New Year's Day crash FL — A Florida state trooper walked away from a totaled patrol car with only minor injuries following a New Year's Day crash a marked highway patrol car initiated a traffic stop of a sports utility vehicle driven by a 61-year-old Land O' Lakes man for speeding Both vehicles began pulling over to the shoulder of the highway but the highway patrol said the trooper's patrol car was going too fast for the wet roadway conditions and lost control and collided with the SUV The impact caused the patrol car to strike a third car driven by a 52-year-old New Port Richey man Those are just a few of the incidents that have Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan asking just what can be done to protect residents and their property from “potentially dangerous” wild animals that have been spotted in densely populated areas Hagan intends to ask county staff to look into the “state of the situation” when commissioners meet Feb According to Hagan’s agenda item he wants staff directed to “recommend an action plan designed to alert citizens of the dangers as well as advise on ways to best protect themselves and their property.” Coyote sightings are not uncommon in Hillsborough’s populated areas Wild boar sightings are also not unheard of says some of the reports have been atypical “Recent and frequent (sightings) in areas of Carrollwood Village Original Carrollwood and Lake Magdalene are very unusual,” Hagan said “What is most concerning is their increasing activity in highly populated areas which substantially increases the potential for a dangerous encounter.” Reports about human and wild animal interactions have been “increasingly aggressive,” he added but intends to ask Animal Services to report back on the situation “A real potential for danger exists and I want to ensure that our residents have all the information they need to remain safe.” Hagan’s primary goal is to raise awareness about the increase in sightings and aggressive encounters and to “alert our residents to what they can do to protect themselves from injury and their property from damage.” To view the full agenda, visit the county online What wild animals have you spotted in Carrollwood and Northdale Share your thoughts in the comments section It also means replacing razors and batteries by the checkout with shiny apples and trail mix, and stocking pastry cases with desserts almost too pretty to eat. The changes are part of the newly opened Publix supermarket in Carrollwood's Village Center. The center demolished the old store last year to make way for a larger, more modern version that incorporates elements of Publix's GreenWise brand, with its large selection of freshly prepared food and organic items. The goal was to expand offerings for existing Publix customers and woo shoppers from other grocers such as Whole Foods, which opened down the street in late 2012. Although the store lost 10 months' worth of business during construction, the improvements are expected to boost long-term sales. The upgrade was a long time coming. The store's landlord, Regency Centers, started talking with Publix eight or nine years ago about expanding the store, which anchors a major shopping center at Dale Mabry Highway and Fletcher Avenue. Publix needed more space, and the shopping center didn't want the store to move anywhere else, said Mike Kinsella, senior vice president of Regency Centers. "They had a need, and we had a need," he said. "The timing was right, and the opportunity was there." The landlord paid for the new, 49,000-square-foot building and related reconfiguration of the center, which included moving the Walgreens store and adding a new access point. Publix paid for the store's interior build-out. Neither Publix nor the shopping center would disclose the cost of the multimillion-dollar project. But as part of the deal, Publix agreed to a more expensive, 20-year lease. The creme de la creme store will likely become a model for new and improved Publix locations but not necessarily the norm. Publix spokesman Brian West said the Lakeland-based chain continually evaluates its 1,075 stores to determine which ones need a makeover and to what degree. Although details haven't been announced, he expects the recently closed store on Fourth Street at 38th Avenue N in St. Petersburg will be more of a traditional store than the Carrollwood one. Industrywide, supermarket chains remodel stores every eight to 10 years, said Neil Stern, senior partner with McMillan Doolittle, a retail consultancy in Chicago. Publix, a wealthy chain with a giddy following in Florida, has been particularly aggressive. "Publix is better disciplined than most at making sure their stores are fresh and up to date. It's part of their culture of better service," he said. "They have been very successful and can afford to. Some of the other competitors can't." Publix generally targets stores that are already profitable or are in good neighborhoods, he said. They might tear down a store that has become too small for the growing neighborhood or might spruce up the digs if a new competitor comes to town. Most likely, he said, each store has a goal for a return on its investment, and it wouldn't be unusual to set a 5 to 10 percent sales increase — a significant boost for a business that operates on a small margin. Remodeling stores isn't risk-free. Adding more prepared food has higher labor costs. Someone has to cut the vegetables in the salad bar, bake the pizza bread and keep the olive bar tidy. Who likes to buy live lobster from a dirty tank? Stores also face losing shoppers who are familiar with the old layouts and don't like wading through aisles of wine to find their Sutter Home. And, in the case of a teardown like the Carrollwood Publix, shoppers who go elsewhere during construction might not come back. For longtime customers, demolishing a store can be bittersweet, as was the case last month when the Publix in Madeira Beach closed after 56 years. "There's a lot of sentimentality for the older stores," said Dave Aldrich, who runs Pleasant Family Shopping, a blog that take a nostalgic look at chain stores. "People have been shopping at Publix for a long time." Aldrich says Publix's focus on attractive, well-designed stores goes back to founder George W. Jenkins, who catered to housewives with boutique-like departments, pastel colors and terrazzo floors, which still exist in many stores. In the early days, Jenkins commissioned mosaic tile murals for storefronts and gave flowers to his customers. A 1954 Saturday Evening Post article called him the "grocer the girls all love." While shoppers generally embrace the modern store features, much of the individuality of the stores has been lost, Aldrich said. Stores aren't as bold as they used to be visually and architecturally. Stores do still have the large Toledo scales, a free perk Jenkins started as a customer service. Even the new Carrollwood Publix has one, near the sleek, new customer service counter. Susan Thurston can be reached at sthurston@tampabay.com or (813) 225-3110. Follow her on Twitter @susan_thurston. It may — if some Carrollwood area and New Tampa residents, including two Hillsborough County commissioners, have their way. Just not in 2018. A push by some in the communities is underway to bring the popular grocery stores to those areas. Currently the only Trader Joe's in Hillsborough County is in South Tampa at 3808 S Swann Ave. "We are trying to petition them (Trader Joe's real estate department) heavily," said Van Chandler, community association manager of Carrollwood Village. "One of the residents had suggested it and we thought it was a great idea." Chandler said residents have been encouraged to complete a form on the Trader Joe's website suggesting the Carrollwood area. Kenya Friend-Daniel, public relations director of Trader Joe's at its corporate office in Monrovia, Calif., said there is not a North Tampa store on the list of stores to open in 2018. She could not say if North Tampa is being considered for the future expansion. "Currently we are looking at many cities; we get many requests from all over the country," Friend-Daniel said, adding those online forms go directly to Trader Joe's real estate department. "It is a process they use to evaluate requests," she said. "But it is a good thing when a city wants one." Chandler said the Carrollwood sites discussed are a former grocery store on Ehrlich Road at West Village Drive and a former Piccadilly Cafeteria on North Dale Mabry Highway. Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, a northwest area resident, stated in an email that he is working with the Carrollwood Village Homeowners Associations to bring a Trader's Joe to the Carrollwood area. "The residents of Carrollwood are proud and passionate about their community," Hagan stated in the email. "As a result, they have submitted hundreds of emails illustrating their support for a Trader Joe's in the Carrollwood Village area. As a Lake Magdalene resident, I know firsthand that Trader Joe's would be an excellent complement to our community." Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist, a New Tampa resident, said he also is trying to get Trader Joe's to put locations in Carrollwood and New Tampa. The New Tampa store could be across from Hunter's Green and near the New Tampa Community Center, which will be constructed in that area. Both areas are "hubs of population," said Crist who recently sent an email to his database of constituents and others urging the email recipients to complete the Trader Joe's form. "We've gotten a tremendous response from all over to that," Crist said. Crist said he believes former the grocery store on Ehrlich Road is a good site for a Trader Joe's "because it is a huge building and has a big parking lot. It is a blighted shopping center now." Bill West, president of the Carrollwood Phase 3 Home Owners Association, said the area's residents are working with new owners of that shopping center to try to lure Trader Joe's. "The whole community — in Carrollwood and outside — has been sending letters," West said. "We are really happy to support it." He said such a store would provide additional shopping opportunities while improving the aesthetics of the nearly vacant shopping plaza. A charter school applied to have that location rezoned for use as its facility but the county commission denied the change last. year. "That was inappropriate use (of the site) because of the traffic patterns," Crist said. "But with a Trader Joe's, everyone wouldn't be arriving at the same time." Trader Joe's was founded in 1967, in California. It was an outgrowth of a small chain of convenience stores, called Pronto Markets, started in 1958. It expanded to Florida in 2012 and is known for its own label of products and trademark Hawaiian shirts for employees. Some Wesley Chapel area residents also have taken to social media to inquire how to get a Trader Joe's in their community. Contact Lenora Lake at hillsnews@tampabay.com. Download the movie 2012 at 11:20 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}UPDATE: The names of the two victims has been released by authorities at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Garcia and Diaz were in the back parking lot of Village Inn exchanging custody of their 7-year-old son whose age was originally given  by the Sheriff's Office as 8 and later corrected The boy exited his dad's pickup truck after returning from a visit in south Florida and entered his mother's van that was occupied with two other adults a 10-year-old girl and two 14-year-old girls The vehicles were parked side by side when Garcia got out of the truck and walked to the driver's side of the van Diaz was in and Garcia pulled out a revolver and shot Diaz multiple times Garcia then put the gun to his own head and killed himself Regina Jones was heading south on Dale Mabry Highway after a trip to a weight loss clinic when she spotted police tape soon learned from bystanders who gathered this afternoon at the corner of Humphrey Street and Dale Mabry Highway that two people had been killed in the parking lot of Carrollwood's Village Inn restaurant when authorities received a call regarding shots fired in the parking lot of the restaurant a spokesman for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office The two had met in the parking lot of Village Inn to exchange custody of an 8-year-old boy they had together One of the two people killed drove to Village Inn in a full-sized van that contained five adults and a 10-year-old girl The girl is not a child of the deceased man and woman Names and ages of the two people killed have not been released yet It is unclear if the man and the woman were married a crowd of people gathered in the parking lot of a KFC restaurant on the corner of Humphrey and Dale Mabry who lives in Carrollwood and eats at Village Inn once a year sympathized with the unidentified dead woman "She was shot in front of her kids," said Jones "You just never hear anything like that happening out here." 2013 at 12:22 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}If you've been by the Publix located in Carrollwood's Village Center you've probably seen signage indicating the store will be closing soon for a complete remodel Carrollwood Patch caught up with Shannon Patten to get some details on what shoppers can expect in the coming months and when the store is complete "This is going to be the perfect location for our Carrollwood customers to explore an array of foods and services in one location," Patten said Stay with Patch for updates on the progress of the new store Let Patch save you time. 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Simple, fast sign-up here 2013 at 10:43 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}While it's unusual for a sinkhole to open up beneath a home without warning sinkholes in general are not uncommon in Hillsborough County CDS Business Mapping of Boston which maps hazards around the country to help insurance underwriters assess risk says Hillsborough County ranks third in the list of the top 10 sinkhole-prone counties in Florida The company reports that sinkholes have been on the rise in Florida the last few years Sinkhole property insurance claims increased from 2,360 in 2006 to 6,694 in 2010 followed by Hernando County and then Hillsborough According to the Southwest Florida Water Management District They form when underground water dissolves minerals in the ground the hole becomes large enough that the land on top caves in Sinkholes are common in land containing limestone because limestone is soft and has water holes like a sponge 2013 at 11:56 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Coyote sightings in the Tampa Bay area are nothing new Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. 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