Vision Now – December 2020

Vision Now What's Happening in Local Neighborhoods in Lakeland?

Listen Lakeland December

Survey - Strong and Safe Neighborhoods

What’s Happening in Local Neighborhoods in Lakeland? 

Join in for a lively conversation with Dr. Sallie Stone and Lynne Simpkins as they discuss the happenings in local neighborhoods in Lakeland. Lynne has been a Senior Planner with the COL for 30 years and brings a wealth of information, creativity and community engagement to her role with neighborhood outreach.

Vision Focus Area/ Goals:

  • Strong & Safe Neighborhoods:
    • Sense of Community
      Institutions, organizations, and neighborhoods will create and support a cohesive and engaged community that fosters intergenerational and geographic unity.
    • Public Involvement
      Our citizens will be knowledgeable on how government works and how to communicate with decision-makers.
    • Safety
      Lakeland will have effective law enforcement with community-based crime prevention activities to ensure safe schools, neighborhoods, and streets.
    • Government
      Lakeland will have accessible, capable leaders who are dedicated to providing resources and services to all areas of the community.
Listen Lakeland Radio Show. Host: Dr. Sallie Stone, Lakeland Vision Guest: Lynne Simpkins, Senior Planner with the City of Lakeland’s Community and Economic Development | Neighborhood Outreach
Host: Dr. Sallie Stone, Lakeland Vision Guest: Lynne Simpkins, Senior Planner with the City of Lakeland’s Community and Economic Development | Neighborhood Outreach

For over 30 years the City of Lakeland has supported a Neighborhood Improvement Program now served through the Neighborhood Outreach Office. With 100 defined neighborhoods and 30 of those with registered neighborhood associations, it is no surprise that Lakeland has won awards and recognition as a city of strong neighborhoods. The goal of the Neighborhood Outreach Office is to support and preserve stable neighborhoods, Teams of employees with diverse areas of expertise are utilized to solve neighborhood problems. By using the unified approach and drawing on the expertise of departments throughout city government, issues are addressed in a proactive manner. The office offers a neighborhood liaison service to increase access to resources, build knowledge, foster communication, train and register neighborhoods, promote collaboration, and encourage community-based partnerships.