9 Fun, Easy, and Safe Ways To Build Community Spirit
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Many of us have spent the past two years and change hunkering down at home—often to the point that we barely know what our neighbors look like anymore. But now that the pandemic appears to be receding in many areas and with the weather warming up, it’s a good moment to get a little more (safely) social and bolster your neighborhood community spirit.
Coming out of your COVID-19-crafted shell can feel awkward at first, but once you dive in, you’ll relearn the satisfying art of small talk—and make your community stronger and maybe even safer at the same time.
It’s easier to look out for a neighbor’s well-being when you know that the gray house with the icy driveway belongs to Jason, the guy who lends you the latest spy novels.
But building a neighborly network isn’t a one-person job; it takes most of a village. Put out the word on your block or in your apartment building to float the idea of some group activities, and see if folks are willing to volunteer for a task.
Bulletin-board signs, email, and local online groups (see below) are great ways to build a committee to start things rolling.
However you get going, the result should be a more closely knit community and better bonds with your neighbors. Here are nine ways to make it happen.
1. Organize a huge yard sale
Who doesn’t love looking at other people’s stuff and snagging a bargain?
A neighborhood stoop or garage sale can be a much-loved annual event in which people put out their unwanted, underused, or outgrown items for sale or even a swap. It’s terrific for anyone wanting to declutter (which means, basically, everyone).
“This is also smart for those who’ve just recently moved to the street, because that’s when you realize you have things that worked in the old house but now don’t fit in your new home,” says Karen Gray-Plaisted of Design Solutions KGP.
Another fun idea is to donate the proceeds to a charity that you and your neighbors have agreed upon. Just check the town guidelines for this kind of sale before you set a date.
2. Nurture a community garden
Does your neighborhood have a shared patch of green that could use some love? Consider turning it into a community vegetable or flower garden.
Planting seeds, pulling weeds, and then sharing the bounty is a community gift that keeps on giving. Maybe you’ll vote to plant some peonies or edible items, which can lead to even more neighborly interaction.
“Everyone can volunteer to maintain the plot, and come harvest time, the street could hold a garden dinner, using produce as the ingredients,” says Gray-Plaisted.
Bonus: Few kids (or grown-ups, for that matter) can resist the chance to pick herbs, berries, or cherry tomatoes.
3. Create a cute local library
F“Bonding over a shared love of books can definitely bring a community closer together,” notes Jamie Novak, an organizing genius and the author of “Keep This Toss That.” And who doesn’t have a few books they’d love to shed?
A handy person on the block or a DIY enthusiast could build a book box to protect the volumes from the elements, and then mount it in a central location on the street (with your town’s permission). Dedicate a shelf to kids’ books, too.
4. Lend your neighbor a hand
Nothing says “We’re in this together” quite as strongly as expending time and effort to help those in your neighborhood.
It’s a cinch to pull this off: Stay alert to what’s needed and offer to help. It’s that easy! If an elderly neighbor’s leaves are piling up, grab a rake and your kids, and head over to the neighbor’s lawn.
Novak also suggests helping neighbors with shoveling snow or carrying heavy groceries from the car to the house.
If you’re the one with a whole-house generator when the power goes out, let your neighbors know they can charge phones, do laundry, and warm up at your place.
5. Schedule a cleanup day
Odds are, there might be some trash or dead branches around the neighborhood that need picking up. Designate a cleanup day every quarter; research in advance how and where to dispose of those items.
“You can also exchange ideas for how to reduce waste as a unit, create a schedule for recycling plant runs, or even start reusing or upcycling trash,” says Rhianna Miller, a design expert with RubberMulch, a material used in neighborhood playgrounds and community landscaping.
You could also hold quarterly “Get greener” meetings, where neighbors share ideas on composting, rain barrels, and the like.
6. Throw a block party
Who can resist the lure of a cold drink and a hot appetizer? An annual potluck party is a great way to gather and get to know your neighbors. Renting space at a community center or erecting a tent in one generous person’s yard are two ways to set it up.
“Few things bring people together quite as well as the promise of good food and fun,” says Miller.
Some communities theme these events to a holiday; others brainstorm ideas like “Chips, Dips, and Cocktails.” Get creative!
7. Get set for game night
While the kids are playing Animal Crossing and Minecraft, the adults find time for fun as well. Host a board game night in your home or your building’s common area and suggest everyone bring their favorites, says Miller.
See whether some neighbors are interested in forming a poker group or bridge club that meets at a different home each time.
Get nostalgic. Are there any Trivial Pursuit or Pictionary fans out there? You might be surprised to find that the folks next door are fierce competitors.
8. Organize an online group
Facebook and Nextdoor groups are great ways to connect, notes Miller.
“You can join up with crafters, singles, or any other type of group that interests you—or start your own,” she says.
These ultralocal networks bring neighbors closer in so many ways. People share news of poststorm road closures, ask for references for contractors, and just banter (or gossip!) about local life.
9. Designate a safety squad
Many neighborhoods have their issues. (We don’t have to tell you about porch pirates, right?)
Develop a neighborhood safety system, if needed, by installing cameras on the block, and create a phone-message tree for emergency notifications—important in this era of crazy weather.
A safety crew might also look in on the elderly when the weather is bad or the power goes out.
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