Carrying containers filled with their favorite desserts and potlucks dishes, dozens of families gathered for an evening of laughter, games and conversation during the Shorewood Estates' annual National Night Out block party on Bridle Path Lane.
Rhoda Bushee, who brought her twice-baked mashed potatoes, said she and her husband John haven't missed a National Night Out party since moving to the quiet, Lake Arlington neighborhood five years ago.
"I think It's great. For that many people to actually come is really, really good," Bushee said. "That means they believe in the neighborhood and take care of their neighborhood."
The City of Arlington is proud to feature Shorewood Estates near Lake Arlington in this month's episode of Meet the Neighbors, a regularly scheduled web and video program that spotlights neighborhoods large and small across The American Dream City.
Shorewood Estates was among dozens of neighborhoods across Arlington that proudly celebrated the 35th anniversary of National Night Out on Tuesday, Oct. 2. National Night Out is an annual community building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. It's designed to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.
Shorewood Estates doesn't have an official homeowners' association, but it does have families who take great pride in their close-knit community, neighborhood coordinator Ethan McDaniel said. Together, residents over the years have made numerous improvements, such as installing neighborhood entryway signs, decorative landscaping, street sign toppers and a Little Free Library. They also stay in touch through social media and email, communicating about neighborhood concerns, programs and events, and ways to stay involved.
"We all know we live in a great neighborhood. There are a lot of people who care and there's always people who want to help," McDaniel said.
McDaniel said he and his wife knew there was something special about Shorewood Estates from the day they moved into their home in 2006. The couple is raising three children in the established neighborhood, located off Perkins Road north of West Pleasant Ridge Road.
"Arlington is a great place. There is a sense of community here," McDaniel said. "We're not going anywhere. This will be our first and last home because we love the neighborhood so much."
Neighborhoods wanting to learn more about City services available for neighborhood projects should register for the Neighborhood Network at www.arlington-tx.gov/pds/neighborhoods or send questions to [email protected].
The City's Office of Communication develops programming for MyArlingtonTV. Viewers can find MyArlingtonTV programs on the following cable systems: Spectrum Channel 16 and AT&T U-Verse channel 99, and streaming capabilities at www.arlington-tx.gov.
All episodes are also available on the City's YouTube channel, Facebook page and Twitter account.
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