TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

FishHawk Recognized For Its Amenities

ADVERTISEMENT

By PAUL CATALA pcatala@mediageneral.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 26, 2008

The McTaggart family doesn't have to travel far to enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor activities.

Just around the corner from the Ibis Park home of Hunter and his parents, Steve and Traci McTaggart, is the two-acre Ibis Park - complete with a walking trail, playground and wooded areas.

And just north is the indoor Osprey and Palmetto clubs and the outdoor Aquatic Club swimming area, the Park Square shopping and entertainment area and 500 more acres of nature preserves for hiking and exploring.

It's those kinds of extracurricular possibilities that helped prompt the McTaggarts to move into FishHawk Ranch. They're also what helped the community to be selected by the Tampa Bay Builders Association as having the Best Community Amenities for new communities in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

The builders association's Awards of Excellence honors builders, real estate agents and on-site sales associates who make major contributions to the residential home building industry through innovative and creative merchandising, said Allison Canfield, director of special events for the association.

Amidst the more than 3,000 acres making up FishHawk Ranch, Newland Communities' developers have set aside roughly 500 acres for amenities such as nature preserves, recreational open spaces and indoor socializing.

"We have 25 miles of biking and walking trails and we have a park right across the street," said Traci McTaggart, as Hunter, 10, tossed a baseball with his grandmother, Barb Frese, visiting from Sioux City, Iowa. "The amenities here are close and it's like living in a resort."

The awards announcement was made last month by the builders' association. Rick Harcrow, senior vice president of operations for Newland's Tampa division, called the acknowledgement "quite an honor."

"We pride ourselves in creating places where people feel comfortable at home in their neighborhoods and can live their lives and share meaningful experiences with neighbors, friends and family in ways that matter most to them," he said.

Among some of the more popular FishHawk amenities are the picnic pavilion and children's play area.

The builders association based the award on a set of criteria, including strong "curb appeal, overall architectural design creativity, landscape architecture, space planning and function, interior design and use of materials."

Pam Parisi, Newland Tampa's director of marketing, said the size and functionality of the amenities' overall package is related to the number of residents and the target market. She said in a family oriented community, it's important to vary what extras are available.

"We're just thrilled to have received the award again. They are why people choose to make FishHawk their home," she said.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT