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Amaryllis Park

Our History

Mrs. Viola Sanders, a resident of Amaryllis Park, organized the community in 1964. She was very concered about her neighbors and those families who were sick or bereaved. Being very concerned she came up with the idea of sending cards, flowers and resolutions to the family of the deceased. This was done by going door-to-door, letting each neighbor know who the family was and asking for donations. The idea was very receptive to the residents and they contributed willingly.

Mrs. Sanders would call one or two people on each block whenever there was a problem or disturbance in the community and ask those persons to call other residents, informing them of what to look out for and to contact the law enforcement department. Later, she called a meeting and invited the city police to the community to introduce the residents to the Crime Watch Program which was accepted by all.

After joining the Crime Watch Program another meeting was called and the decision was made to organize and select one or two people on each block to be the contact person. Those persons were responsible for contacting the other residents on the block. The block representatives attended the meetings and distributed letters, flyers informing the residents on the blocks of pertinent information. Mrs. Viola Sanders, Mrs. Ida Dixon, Mrs. Mary Louise Lewis and Mrs. Fannie McDugle were the charter members and very active in the organization.

On June 6, 2000, the neighborhood was reorganized as the Amaryllis Park Neighborhood Association and elected Mr. Calvin Bryant as president. The organization is registered with the City of Sarasota’s Neighborhood Development Department and has designated boundaries. It is a member of the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations (CCNA) with representatives attending the monthly meetings. The organization now has more than 75 active members.

In November of 2006 the association became a corporation and is in the process of filing application for its 501(c)(3) status.

WHAT IS THIS AMARYLLIS PARK
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION?

Q. Why join Amaryllis Park Neighborhood Association, Inc.?
A. The power of an official group can help you with neighborhhod challenges such as:

• Speeding cars
• Drug dealers
• Prostitution
• Noise and air pollution
• Disputes among neighbors
• Upkeep of public roads and side walks
• Assisting with the Newtown Redevelopment Plan

Q. What else does the association do for the neighborhood?
A. As one of more than 25 officially designated neighborhood associations in Sarasota, we can help to get grants and neighborhood projects such as:

• Tree and flowers lining the streets and in the parks.
• Youth, aiding elderly with yard work, shopping, housework and handy work projects such as carpentry and painting.
• Education and recreation opportunities.
• Partnering with other community organizations to fulfill projects and events in the community.
• Helping the community with its revitalization efforts.


Committee meeting schedule: Third Tuesday of each month, 7:00pm
Location; Selby Goodwill 1781 Dr. MLK Jr. Way
Contact: Mary Mack – 266.2461

 

 

Neighborhoods
  • New Beginning for Newtown Meeting Results 1 - 2-23-08
  • New Beginning for Newtown Meeting Results 2 - 2-23-08
  • Small Group Activity 2 - Block Groups 2-23-08
  • Small Group Activity 2 - ID Community Assets 2-23-08
  • Neighborhoods Implementation Spreadsheet