Contributed by Kevin Giles, RS
I moved into my first community association at age 11 in 1991. That transition — a new city, new school, and a new neighborhood — could have been intimidating. Instead, it became the backdrop for some of my fondest childhood memories and ultimately shaped how I think about community today.
From the moment we arrived, the neighborhood pool became our summer headquarters. My brother and I walked there each morning for twice-a-day swim team practices alongside kids from across the community. On Tuesday nights, we stayed late for meets, then celebrated our victories over late-night pizza. Those evenings weren’t just about competition, they were about connection and shared experience.
After school, I spent hours with friends fishing in the neighborhood ponds. There was even a grumpy neighbor who would holler at us when we cut through his yard on the way to the dock — a story we still laugh about today. My friend Jeff and I battled it out on the tennis courts, and when boredom struck as teenagers, we found creative (perhaps reckless) ways to entertain ourselves — like setting off firecrackers along the walking trail between our houses.
One summer, my friend Reid and I thought it was a great idea to impress the girls by riding a skateboard while being pulled behind a moped — until a broken arm made it painfully clear it was not. We reported it as a “skateboard accident,” which wasn’t technically false, until a neighbor shared the full story with our parents.
And then there was Tamara, the girl who lived down the street. We started hanging out one summer in about 1995. This year, we will celebrate our 22nd anniversary. All of these experiences grew from the simple fact that we lived in a community with places to meet, play, challenge ourselves, and grow up together.
Today, my parents still live in the same community. My wife and I chose to raise our daughters in a similar environment because of the positive impact it had on us. We wanted them to experience a neighborhood where swim team friendships, tennis lessons, and everyday adventures could shape their childhood.
Since entering the community association industry in 2010, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for what makes associations thrive. As a kid, I took for granted the many people working behind the scenes. As an adult, I now see how essential they are. Professional community managers, volunteer board members, landscape crews, pool staff, maintenance partners, attorneys, accountants, and insurance advisors all play important roles in creating well-run communities. Their collective efforts help ensure residents feel safe, connected, and love where they live.
Our families are grateful not only for the memories we made growing up in that first association but also for the dedicated professionals and volunteers who make community life possible every day. We love where we live.
>>Read more “Love Where You Live” stories in Common Ground March/April 2026.
>>Find tips, strategies, and ideas for putting community first in CAI’s Building Community book.
