Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1516348
ASK A COMMUNITY MANAGER What Should Managed Communities Do to Prepare Amenities for Spring? MAKE SPRINGTIME PREP EASY WITH THIS BREAKDOWN. We live in an area where springtime is a mix of cool mornings and warm afternoons—perfect for prepping the areas your community uses for outdoor recreation. Here's what I think needs the most attention: POOLS People love a good pool, and it's typically a great investment for a community. However, pools also require year-round maintenance, and harsh winter weather can affect concrete and other foundations. Now is an ideal time to call on a licensed professional to clean and inspect the pool. A pro will be able to spot and treat leaks, maintain the filters, and test the pool water's chemical balance before opening it up to residents. GREEN SPACES Nothing makes a community more welcoming than beautiful flowers, tidy garden beds, and nice-and-neat hedges and lawns. Ensuring that green spaces around your clubhouse or neighborhood entrance are well-maintained shows homeowners their dues are creating value. Schedule a grounds walkthrough with your landscaper. Clear landscaping of dead branches, leaves, and debris, and mow lawns. Prune trees and bushes. Clean up your garden and plant beds, and replace plants with those that thrive in your area. And don't forget to update the watering schedule on your sprinkler system—with the right upkeep, your community's landscaping will be lush and vibrant. PLAYGROUNDS A sought-after amenity in several of my communities, playgrounds offer a safe place for families to gather and kids to have fun. Use the early spring to partner with a playground maintenance professional to check playground surfaces and equipment for hazards and fix issues. Wood chips, rubber, and pea gravel surfaces can dip, fray, tear, and cause uneven steps. Loose-fill material should be nine inches deep, and shredded or recycled rubber should be six inches deep. Once it's peak season, visually inspect your playground weekly. Look for potentially harmful conditions, like unsteady or broken playground equipment, uneven sidewalks, loose gravel, and insect nests or hives. That way, you can proactively address any concerns before they turn into real dangers. With a little love and attention, your outdoor amenities can be the functional, enjoyable, and safe areas residents expect all spring long." Ana Rodriguez is a senior community association manager for Associa Hill Country. With more than 19 years of experience in the community management industry, her passion is helping new communities navigate the management transition phase. She's also a people person and enjoys building lasting relationships with vendor partners. One of the biggest benefits of living in a managed community is the range of amenities available to residents. A way to take advantage of the wonderful spring weather, outdoor amenities are often some of the most popular features in a neighborhood. That's why it's important to keep these areas properly maintained and ready for seasonal use. We sat down with senior community manager Ana Rodriguez for pointers on prepping your community's amenities for spring. 32 COMING HOME MAGAZINE