The award comes with a $500 gift for the homeowners association
Hillsborough County, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2026) - Hillsborough County Neighborhood Relations has announced the 2026 Hillsborough County Neighborhood of the Year.
Carrollwood Village Homeowners Association (HOA), Inc. Phase I, II, and III is this year's winner.
Carrollwood Village HOA, Inc. Phase I, II, and III won the award for organizing a neighborhood cleanup with 114 volunteers. Neighbors tackled recycling, shredding, and a new home-pickup service for hard-to-haul items. This is the fourth year the neighborhood has hosted the cleanup event. Hillsborough County Solid Waste through its Community Cleanup Program, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, and Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation assisted in the annual neighborhood cleanup.
Hillsborough County Neighborhood Relations announced the 2026 Neighborhood of the Year Tuesday night at the Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Rd., Tampa, FL 33618. Carrollwood Village HOA, Inc., Phase I, II, and III received a $500 check at the award ceremony.
The Neighborhood of the Year Award is part of the annual Neighborhood Awards. The Neighborhood Awards recognize healthy, safe, and engaged neighborhoods. The awards, led by Hillsborough County Neighborhood Relations, celebrate exceptional neighborhood projects, programs, and events that took place in unincorporated Hillsborough County between July 2025 and June 2026.
Neighborhoods submitted nominations for the Neighborhood Awards in three categories:
Healthy, Safe, and Engaged. The winners of each category were eligible to be named the 2026 Neighborhood of Year for unincorporated Hillsborough County.
Along with receiving the Neighborhood of the Year Award, Carrollwood Village HOA, Inc. Phase I, II, and III also received the Engaged Neighborhood Award.
Buckhorn Groves Homeowners Association, Inc. in Valrico received the Safe Neighborhood Award. With the help of 15 volunteers, the Buckhorn Groves Homeowners Association, Inc. added benches, a table, and additional seating around its play areas so parents can comfortably supervise their children. Deteriorated boards on the existing benches were replaced to improve the gathering space for older kids, and a new garbage can was installed at the play area entrance to encourage visitors to keep the park clean.
Bay Port Colony Property Owners, Inc. received the Healthy Neighborhood Award. The Town 'N Country neighborhood held a community-wide "Trash Bash" event where residents disposed of large household items, yard debris, unwanted electronics, and items to donate. They also hosted a waterways cleanup where 100 volunteers arrived by kayak, boat, and on foot to assist in clearing the neighborhood's lakes, ponds, and parks of trash and lingering storm debris. The two events reduced storm hazards, protected wildlife areas, diverted materials from landfills, and strengthened neighborhood relationships across Bay Port.
The annual awards highlight neighborhood organizations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to strengthening their communities.
Eligible neighborhoods must be listed in the Hillsborough County Neighborhood Listing.
About Hillsborough County
Established in 1834, Hillsborough County government provides essential services to a diverse and growing community under the leadership of a publicly elected, seven-member Board of County Commissioners. Services include water, solid waste and recycling, parks and recreation, public safety, infrastructure, pet resources, economic development, environmental stewardship and a wide range of community programs and public services. Hillsborough County services are paid for in part by property taxes. Learn more at HCFL.gov/PropertyTax.