Are HOA parks becoming more valuable to homeowners?

Just a thought question....

Are HOA parks becoming more important as "third spaces"? (Recall: A third space, coined by Ray Oldenburg, is a place you go when you are not at home and not at work)

When I was little and lived in a small town, we had a library, a community center, a central park, etc, that I could go to when I didn't want to be home. These were my third spaces. Easy bike riding distance, easy driving distance, etc. Today, I live in a different part of the country. We have more traffic. The library is a 15 minute drive to get to (30 - 45 minute bike ride). We don't have a community center, nor have a downtown, nor a central park. However, we do have a nice system of HOA parks.

When I am not at home and not at work, I'm usually walking in the community, and often stop by my HOA parks. Thus, I'm thinking that HOA parks are becoming more important as "third space" in our society.

Thus, I think that HOA dollars invested in HOA parks are generally well received.

Thoughts?

Pools, clubhouses, parks, playgrounds, and other amenities are just "sales tools" to attract potential buyers. I drive by a place that is being built will see builders offering all kinds of amenities. Will I want a HOA that has a pool/clubhouse? Do I want one that has a Tennis Court? Do I like one that has a playground? It's ALL of personal choice of what attracts my dollars.

My current preference in a HOA? It having as little amenities as possible. I am over the moon my current HOA only has "retention" ponds. That means when we own the HOA, it's just upkeeping those ponds and enforcing the rules. It's not maintaining amenities and planning for capital expenses.

However, there is something to be said about having a community shared amenity. A pool is great as I don't have to keep it in my backyard and maintain one year round. If I need extra meeting or party space, a clubhouse is good. I want to take the dogs or myself for a walk? A park is great.

People's taste change for what amenities are offered. Currently it may be park space. 20 year from now? I can't tell you. Is it worth the investment most likely not in the long run. Most people in my former HOA wanted to bury the pool...

depends on who lives there. Most people just sit at home watching a screen now a days. Also depends on what is in the park. walking trails, pool, sports fields, splash pads, etc.

Personally I like, and live in, an HOA that has no amenities. Amenities become the most costly and most argued about things in an HOA.

The reason why I'm asking is because the HOA I live in is 274 homes that owns a system of 5 community parks. That's one park for every 50 homes which is a ridiculous quantity. The parks cost the HOA a lot of money and a lot of Board time to maintain and keep looking nice. Just wondering if this is something homeowners actually enjoy.

Yes, I have done surveys of our homeowners and it seems that they like them. Of course, we have them and due to inertia people like what we have. I don't think I would ever advocate a building creating one park for every 50 homes.

I didn't ask "do you use the parks" but rather asked about how many improvements that homeowners wanted to see for each park. It appeared that homeowners were highly supportive of improving our parks. So we are continuing to spend lots of homeowner dollars and lots of Board volunteer time into improving them.

I'm not grumpy - I like the parks too and think they are important. But I do want to look at the larger picture and think about whether HOA parks are truly something important to a community. Keeping the big picture in mind is always important as a leader.

What improvements one would want to see are subjective and change over time.

Those with small children may want playgrounds.
As the children age, those individuals may want a fitness path or a pool.
As the children start driving and own their own vehicles, those same individuals may prefer more parking to parks.
As the children move away, those individuals may want a quiet walking path.
As the grandchildren start to visit, those individuals may want playgrounds again.

Those living paycheck to paycheck may want nothing that costs more money to upkeep.

Those who have reached the point of no longer living paycheck to paycheck may want more amenities.

Your question is subjective.
Even though you are on the board to make the decisions - your personal viewpoint should be tempered with viewpoints of the membership.

There is a line from the play 1776 during one of the votes to debate the resolution on independence that I thought was great. It was said by the actor portraying Dr. Lyman Hall:

I'm afraid I'm not quite certain whether representing the people means relying on their judgment or on my own. In all fairness, until I can figure that out, I'd better lean a little on their side

Sounds like u need a new survey! One that actually asks about the parks usage. How much they cost to operate and if membership thinks the amount of time and money spent on them would be better spent elsewhere or not even spent at all so they have lower dues. Your biased and need to step back and do what the owners want not what you want