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Neighborhoods United As One

Photo by Julie Busch/staff

The Timberlane Community Park Gators come together as a team after losing to Bellamy 25-0. "We play together, we win together, we lose together," coach Aaron Porter told his team Thursday after the game.

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By ANGELA DELGADO, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 26, 2007

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - The Timberlane and Woodlake neighborhoods are so close together, they have practically become one.

'We kind of merge,' said Raymond Franqui, president of the Timberlane Civic Association. 'There's really no big separation.'

Although Franqui represents his community, Wood- lake is included in most things Timberlane; Franqui said it has been that way a long time.

Timberlane and Woodlake were built in the early '80s and have about 1,500 homes, Franqui said. The large community with winding roads and parks is active.

The neighborhood has 'got a good mix of people,' Franqui said. 'I think we are in a very privileged area. There are a lot of things to do around us in terms of recreation. I feel the location is prime.'

One thing Franqui does wish the community had is a better relationship among residents. The Timberlane Civic Association has high hopes and goals to revitalize the neighborhood, but to be successful, more helping hands are needed.

'We want the civic association to create that bond so when there are common things that affect us, we can act as one,' he said. 'If we have to take matters into our own hands, it makes matters a lot easier' if the communities work together.

So far, the association has worked to make improvements to the two entrances to Woodlake and two entrances to Timberlane. Volunteers have painted the entrance walls, improved neighborhood signs and done landscaping. Residents and visitors can enter Timberlane through Old Memorial Highway and can access Woodlake via Sheldon Road and Waters Avenue.

'When there is positive change, I think it helps to change some of the attitude of some of the residents,' he said. 'That's why we want to start pulling together and get things done, but it's been a really big challenge.'

Many homeowners at Timberlane and Woodlake are blue-collar workers in their 30s and 40s. Franqui said neighbors are usually young families, and the community is heavily populated by children.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 20, the community will hold its first Timberlane/Woodlake Civic Association flea market. The profits will go toward upkeep of the community entrances. The civic association wants to hold more community activities and draw more residents together.

'It just takes persistence,' Franqui said. 'One step at a time. I think we are moving forward.'

TIMBERLANE /WOODLAKE

NUMBER OF HOMES: 1,500

ESTABLISHED: Early 80s

WEB SITE: www.timberlane woodlake.com

Reporter Angela Delgado can be reached at (813) 865-1501 or adelgado@tampatrib.com.

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