HOA bans kids playing in park

Started by JessicaH5 • 7 replies • 531 views

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JessicaH5 (Texas)
Posts: 16

Posted:

Hi,

I live in an HOA in Texas. My HOA recently passed a new rule that basically bans kids from playing in the common park area:

"Park: No sports may be played in the park area which include the throwing, hitting and/or kicking of a ball. The throwing, hitting and/or kicking of a ball or similar item, including frisbees, is prohibited."

A lot of parents were angry about this but I think the HOA was able to pass this without consulting the homeowners. Does anyone else have rules like this in their neighborhood?

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Is this possibly related to any Covid restrictions? I know our parks were closed during the pandemic for some time. Now think they are still kind of limitted.

Are their owners whom have ha windows or damage done to their homes that live near the park? Seems you may have some owners who want to make the HOA responsible for paying their damages if there were. Which the HOA is probably trying to stop that from happening. Even though it should be on the homeowner's insurance your going to have those owners who want to blame the HOA and make them pay.

Former HOA President

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Jessica

BOD's alone make rules and BOD's alone can change them. If enough are upset bring it to the BOD's attention. If they do not do as you want, and enough are upset, throw the BOD out.

JohnT38 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,631

Posted:

According to what you provided they didn't actually ban kids from playing. What they banned was any play that involved a ball. Something this specific and limited makes me think something had to happen to make them implement this rule. Do you happen to know what this is?

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Well, the wording is so that no one can claim discrimination against kids since ALL humans are prohibited from throwing/kicking/etc. balls, frisbees, etc..

Anyone can still tumble, run, chase, etc. So his isn't a Covid thing.

Is there any play equipment in this park Jessica? Are bikes, trikes and other wheeled devices permitted, e.g., skateboards, baby doll strollers, roller skates, big wheels, etc?

Yes, usually Boards have the authority to make rules about the common areas.

JessicaH5 (Texas)
Posts: 16

Posted:

Thank you all for the input! I believe the rule was because a homeowner had been injured due to being hit by a ball that kids were playing. My neighborhood (and the HOA board) have a large population of older people (70+), which doesn't always coincide well with a bunch of young kids running around. And y'all are right - if parents are upset they can always run for representation in the HOA

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

people can be injured from other riding bikes, skateboards, scooters etc. This is one of the reasons why I do not walk my dogs to the park anymore. One kid on a bike a few years ago skidded out in front of me and nearly struck my dog, by dog returned the favor by grabbing the kids ankle causing him to fall off his bike. The kids are so out of control in my community, we are powerless to do anything because of FHA. Just last Sunday morning two kids destroyed the park by pulling retainer blocks off the wall and throwing the larger rocks from the landscaping onto the sidewalk trying to smash them and tossing rocks on the lawn.

I would love to see a rule that says NO UNACCOMPANIED MINORS in common areas.

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