Orangewood Neighborhood Association

The Orangewood neighborhood is located off of Providence Road in the Northwest quadrant of Lakeland. As you turn onto Blossom Circle South, you have arrived in the small but strong community. With a population of about 130 people, Orangewood's residents live up and down Blossom Circle South, East, West, North and on Fruitwood Drive. At the front of the neighborhood, just on the outskirts, sits the Islamic Center of Lakeland, a bright orange and green building that signals you are in the Orangewood area. Although the center and neighborhood have no connection, members of the Neighborhood Association say they are extremely inclusive and would welcome them with open arms.

The Orangewood Neighborhood Association meets almost monthly with leaders Delphinia Broadnax-Taylor, Mike Taylor and Debra Jackson at the helm. Delphinia said she has been in the neighborhood since its beginning in 1995. She describes it as a, "small community nestled in Lakeland made up of a melting pot of people."

Before Orangewood became the residential hub it is today, it appears to have been made up of orange groves, giving the community its name. The quaint neighborhood is family-oriented and full of individuals seeking to make it better.

"It's important to be involved so you have a voice and are aware of what is going on in your neighborhood," Delphinia said about the association. "Information is power."

When the neighborhood meets monthly, they discuss issues that are important to the community such as roads, traffic and clean yards. They are currently working toward traffic calming on the residential roads to keep the community quiet and safe. Orangewood's partnership with the City of Lakeland is also top of mind for its residents.

"We want to make sure we have a relationship with law enforcement and code enforcement," Delphinia said. "We want people to be involved, know one another and work together to keep improving our neighborhood.