John F. Clark 
Summer is a busy time of year for families. The weather is beautiful, and there are plenty of outdoor activities. It is also the perfect time of year for HOAs to focus on improving the community.
Now that spring showers are gone, and you won’t be interrupted by winter snows, you can focus on preparing for summer. The days are longer, but it is a great opportunity to focus on your summer to-do list. Below, you’ll find the best HOA summer projects to improve your community.
1. Create a Community Park
Now is the perfect time to create or upgrade a community park. Families need a place to gather together and enjoy unique amenities. Purchase nice picnic tables, preferably ones with umbrellas, to keep the sun off residents while they enjoy a meal. Set up several grills around the picnic tables so families can cook out. Be sure to include scrubbing brushes so individuals can clean up after they’ve used the grill.
While the adults are cooking, the kids can play. Playground equipment such as slides, swings, and spring riders is are perfect addition to any park area. Children love playgrounds, and the activity can help them burn off that extra summer energy. You might also consider installing a swimming pool. Be sure qualified adults are always available to watch kids in the pool.
Gardens are another option to include in your community park. Allow residents to reserve space in the park for their garden plots. They can grow fresh veggies, herbs, or flowers. Families will enjoy the ability to grow their plants. And healthy plants can improve curb appeal. A garden can even improve neighborliness, as residents may trade with each other for an even greater variety of foods.
2. Plan Community Events
Now that you have a community park, use it. Community events are the perfect way to encourage families to interact with each other, strengthening the bonds of the neighborhood. Neighbors who have strong bonds are more apt to look out for one another, making the community a safer area to live in.
Host a summer cookout to make use of those new grills. Everyone can bring a side or dessert, and cook ribs, steaks, and hamburgers on the grills. Make it even more fun by having attendees vote on the best meal of the day. The winner can take home a gift card for a restaurant so they can get a night off from cooking.
You could also have a movie or game night for residents. Start the afternoon with fun, family-friendly games like sack races. Then, as night falls and the stars come out, set up an outdoor movie screen and play a popular movie. Have a poll in the days leading up to the event to see which movie families want to see. Make sure that it is acceptable for even young children.
3. Perform Maintenance and Landscaping
With warm, dry weather that lasts until late in the day, summer is the ideal time for maintenance, repairs, and landscaping. Encourage homeowners to take on major and minor projects alike. Families should look over their homes to find areas that need work early in the season. This way, they’re ready to go when the warm weather hits.
Home improvement projects may include new siding, painting, or pressure washing a building’s exterior. This includes buildings owned by the HOA, such as the dugouts at the ball field. Shingles on the roof may need to be replaced from those rough spring storms. Check gutters and clean out debris that may have settled over the long winter months. Go through the garage and shed and declutter. Give away, sell, or throw out anything you no longer need.
Homeowners and the HOA should also focus on landscaping during the summer. Clear out grass and weeds growing in the cracks of sidewalks. Trim walkways and powerwash them to remove dirt. Cut back growing tree branches, particularly ones that hang near structures. This prevents damage to the home when summer storms come through. HOAs should plant flowers in their garden beds to help the bee population. Bees are still declining in western and southern North America.
4. Foster Teamwork
You’ll want to plan many activities for your family during the summer months. Therefore, you’ll need strong teamwork from members of the HOA. An HOA consists of residents, committees, and a board of directors. These individuals must be prepared to work together to ensure everything gets done effectively and efficiently.
Make sure that you’ve chosen the right leaders for the HOA. They’re likely to work well together and are upfront, honest, and positive if they want to learn. HOA board members should set a good example for the community. They must be open to feedback and available when needed. Additionally, leaders should attack problems head-on and manage risks proactively.
Clear roles within the HOA ensure that each board member knows what they’re required to handle. Leaders must understand the HOA rules inside and out to handle situations better that may arise. If a leader receives a complaint, they must see if it is within the rules or must be addressed. The HOA will run like a well-oiled machine when everyone understands their responsibilities.
HOA’s Summer To-Do List
Summer is a great time to get ahead on your HOA to-do list. The HOA can use the longer, warmer days to care for projects like creating a community park or replacing broken sidewalks. Meanwhile, residents can make repairs and improve their home’s curb appeal.
The HOA board members and committees should work together to ensure that everything on their to-do list gets completed. Summertime offers the opportunity to host events and gather together with residents. With the right steps, the HOA can help neighbors become friends. And what better way to ensure a strong community?
