Hampshire Hills Neighborhood Association is the link for and between neighbors who pride themselves on working together to maintain the beauty, stability and diversity of this area. The association meets monthly (except July and August) at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at Greater Providence Baptist Church, 2000 Milton Rd. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Our organization actually started in the 1970's when the Hampshire Hills Garden Club essentially acted as the area’s representative and governing body. The Hampshire Hills Swim and Racquet Club handled the recreation activities of the neighborhood into the 1990s.
After the swimming pool closed, and the Garden Club disbanded as women went to work outside the home, several neighbors spearheaded the effort in the late 1990's to establish an association to represent the neighbors and their concerns.
Hampshire Hills is one of Charlotte’s most beautiful neighborhoods, built in the early 1960's, only 10-15 minutes from downtown. The design by John Crosland included homes on large lots with three or four bedrooms--primarily brick in ranch style, split level and homes with full basements. The neighborhood generally includes Bridgeport, Barrington, McBride, Somersworth, and Ludwig. Adjacent neighborhoods such as Eastbrook Woods and Bridlewood often are considered part of Hampshire Hills, although they are not part of the builder’s original design. Most have real hardwood floors and many have masonry fireplaces. There are approximately 380 houses in the neighborhood.
In the 1980's, Crosland added two additional properties: Fairmarket Plaza, a retirement community of 120 one and two-bedroom apartments and Fairmarket Square with 60 two-and three-bedroom apartments. The Hampshire Hills Shopping Center now includes a diversity of businesses.
Although the neighborhood has undergone many changes since the early 1970's, it has maintained its reputation of stability primarily because of the efforts of a strong Neighborhood Association and joint association with other eastside organizations such as Charlotte Eastway Community Partners and the Northeast Community Organization (NCO) which was recently restructured and renamed Plaza Eastway Partners/ NCO.
The Hampshire Hills Neighborhood Association’s accomplishments include:
o Maintaining an active and involved Neighborhood Association with established by-laws
o Participating in leadership development programs provided by the city
o Receiving two Neighborhood Matching Grants to erect signs at the Bridgeport and McBride entrances
o Adding and upgrading street lights on all streets in the neighborhood
o Encouraging and implementing many of the city’s Model Neighborhood Standards.
o Encouraging neighborhood pride and harmony through annual neighborhood events including:
National Night Out, Monthly Healthy Walking and neighborhood fellowship dinner held annually the second Tuesday in November.
o Maintaining the beauty and safety of the neighborhood through such activities as:
_ Yard of The Month awards in spring and summer
_ clean up campaigns
_ Crime Watch Program
_ Encouraging community use and pride in Unity Park
_ Featuring programs on yard care and home maintenance at neighborhood meetings.
o Publishing monthly newsletters delivered to every household.
o Partnership with Devonshire School
o Third Neighborhood Matching grant regarding signage inclusive of street toppers, t-shirts, and newsletters
For more information about the Hampshire Hills neighborhood, please contact Beatrice L Spaulding, Neighborhood Association President, at 704-568-1733 or email: blspaulding@msn.com.