Does anyone else belong to a community association?

[Caged Great]

I recently became a board member in my local community association, and was wondering if anyone else is as well where they live. As I've found out networking is huge if you want to get anything positive done, so I figured I'd ask if anyone else is in the same boat.

We've been brainstorming interesting ideas for creative events in our community to bring a neighbourhood vibe back to our area, which has been rather greatly neglected in our area for the past 5 years or so. Oddly enough one of the most requested things from our community is to bring in a lawn bowling area, which I've been looking into.

[Caged Great]

Some of the ideas that I've been thinking up is to have a movie in the park night or 2.

There are a couple companies that have huge 60 feet screens that they set up and play movies on, so doing that to bring out a few people might be fun.

Getting some various outdoor activities like lawn bowling, horseshoes, and other similar games is also a priority as well as possibly setting up roller/street hockey tournaments, that kind of thing.

I've been trying to think up other fun ideas for all ages, but haven't been having much success in that department lately. Anyone else have any ideas?

Thank you in advance.

[billybob123]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Some of the ideas that I've been thinking up is to have a movie in the park night or 2.

There are a couple companies that have huge 60 feet screens that they set up and play movies on, so doing that to bring out a few people might be fun.

I don't live anywhere near Deer Run but I have seen driving through there in the summer that the CA has movie nights. They seem to be pretty popular there. Fairly big turnouts, at least the ones I noticed.

[Sliver]

We did a movie night in the park at bonavista last summer. It was super fun...I hope they do it again.

[First Lady]

I'm not "officially" on the board, but I attend a lot of the meetings and volunteer when I can. (in Highland Park.)

Last fall we had Shakespeare in the Park. Not a huge turnout, but those who did attend really enjoyed it.

We did a Ukrainian fundraising dinner last weekend. Pre-sold 110 tickets and another 20-30 people showed at the door. (On a brutally cold night) It was a huge success. Not only in numbers, but for building community spirit and connecting neighbours.

[algernon]

I'm on my community's board as a director at large.

I'm finding that the hardest part of any initiative is community support, as all of the grant programs usually have community support as a requirement for participation.
We are attempting to get a community garden up and running for the 2012 growing season, and although very preliminary, we're finding support through our Alderman's Executive Assistant and the Calgary Horticulture Society.
We have also a regular movie night, and kid's dances, as well as stuff for the kids at the skate shack.

OP: have you spoken with the Lawn Bowling Club down off 17th ave SW around 11st? They have been there for ever, and likely know all of the issues.

[frinkprof]

Which community are you in Caged Great?

I'm starting to get involved in my community association here. Not on the board though. Beltline.

[Slava]

I'm a director for our residents association (we have a community association and a residents association here). The residents association is responsible for the waterpark so its a little more limited. One of the reasons I wanted to get involved is because its an active board (I've seen other boards that don't do a whole lot), and doing things is both engaging and makes things better for the community as a whole.

I've attended movie in the park nights and they are a lot of fun. IIRC there is an actual company called "Movie in the Park" and they bring the screen and everything. It costs about $3k to run it, but you can always run some little fundraiser along with it and maybe break even.

[Caged Great]

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[troutman]

Hillhurst does a Farmers Market every week in the Sping/Summer. There is a band and games for children.

Winter Festival is coming soon.

http://hillhurstsunnysidecommunity.com/

And sometimes Druh closes Memorial Drive for a street party, and to anger CP.