2015 Who’s Who in America’s Neighborhoods Award

by | Jun 1, 2015 | Awards, Who's Who in America's Neighborhoods

The Board of Directors of Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA) annually recognizes neighborhood advocates and volunteers whose work mirrors the mission of NUSA with the “Who’s Who in America’s Neighborhoods” award. Established in 2010, the award honors individual(s) who work to: (1) build and strengthen neighborhood associations; (2) encourage neighborhood involvement in the decision-making process in local governments; and (3) promote productive communications and collaborations among neighborhood associations, local governments and the public and private sectors. The 2015 “Who’s Who in America’s Neighborhoods” award recipient is: 

Shirley Patterson

Arlington, Texas

Since 1965, Shirley Patterson has been a resident of the Parkview neighbor-hood in eastern Arlington, Texas. In those 50 years, Patterson saw first-hand and experienced the typical life cycle of her neighborhood and she began to notice more and more house were being bought and rented by out-of-town owners, and housing quality and property maintenance were deteriorating.

Not content with seeing any further deterioration, Patterson embarked on an effort to revitalize the area and renew the spirit and pride of residents from Parkview. Built upon members from the Citizens On Patrol group, Patterson started a neighborhood group that she led as president.

Patterson next led the effort to create a neighborhood plan, which created a vision and goals for the Parkview community, proposing ways to expand the social network and organization, addressing problematic land-use and zoning issues, and exploring redevelopment ideas for the commercial area adjacent to Parkview.

Under her leadership, Parkview has been rejuvenated from enhancing the neighborhood’s entrance sign, to upgrading a dilapidated fence along a major street with an ornamental iron fence, to creating a wildflower and butterfly garden, to installing benches that honor longtime residents at school bus stops.

Her longtime goal of establishing a gathering place was realized in 2012 with the creation of a community garden and focal point for the neighborhood. Without Patterson’s hard work, this would still be just a dream.

Her passion to make east Arlington a vibrant and diverse community extends beyond the borders of Parkview. She is a resource to other Arlington neighborhood leaders and gives her time freely to guide and mentor them. She has distinguished herself in her contributions to her neighborhood, her city, and is a welcome addition to the list of previous honorees to earn the title of Who’s Who in America’s Neighborhoods.