Naturally, there are very few of us around who can withstand aging twenty years without at least a bit of concern about both out appearance and our overall structure. Life and time being what they are, Tampa Palms has reached a point where a community makeover is on the boards.

As part of this effort, Tampa Palms has engaged the services of both a top notch architectural firm and landscape planning company. The ultimate goal is for these two experienced firms to take make a comprehensive assessment and come back with suggestions as to how the community can be improved in regard to its appearance.

A similar effort was undertaken about five years ago. Through that effort, different proposals were made to improve the appearance. The net result of this prior community makeover was to change the design of the fountain at the entryway to The Reserve as well as to add some floating fountains in different spots throughout Tampa Palms. In addition, attractively designed and crafted monument signs were added to the main entrance and to all of the entrances to individual neighborhoods in the combined community.

In order to get the proverbial ball rolling this time around, the architectural and landscaping firms held a community meeting in Compton Park in early August. The purpose of the meeting in the park was two-fold. First, the firms and the civic leaders of Tampa Palms wanted to have the chance to share their essential objective with the community at large. Second, the individuals involved in working to plan the community makeover strongly desired to get input and ideas from the residents of Tampa Palms.

Through this process, a list of possible new or improved amenities are being constructed. While the listing is far from complete and far from final, some of the amenities that are being considered as part of the comprehensive Tampa Palms community makeover include:

* a water park

* an outdoor concert stage

* business center

* improved movie theaters

* interactive fountains

Some residents also suggested improvements or replacements to existing items that are already in place. This includes desired refurbishing of the existing community center as well as replacement of many of the street signs that have been up for years. In addition, on the improvement list for many individuals who call Tampa Palms home is the public, community swimming pool connected to the existing community center.

In order to continue to keep the lines of communication open between residents of Tampa Palms and the companies and individuals charged with overseeing the community makeover, yet another community meeting of the kind held in Compton Park has been slated for late September.