Florida's Theme Park Legacy: A Story of Local Innovation One of the biggest perks of living in an HOA managed community in Florida is of course the proximity to incredible entertainment destinations. Florida has its sandy beaches, but it is near-impossible to separate Florida and the Florida living experience from its theme park history. The Florida tourism industry began as early as the late 1800s, attracting visitors with our warm climate, beautiful natural sights like freshwater springs, and booming citrus industry, bringing railroads and real estate developers with them. (For more information on early tourism of Florida's natural landscape, visit here: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/naturalists/tourism/) It’s hard to imagine Florida without the large corporate parks we know today and their wide influence, but the theme parks that first began drawing people to the Sunshine State pioneered the creativity and immersive experiences that would continue to be synonymous with Florida. When Disney World opened in 1971, its size and scope meant that it quickly began to outshine many of the smaller, more homegrown Florida theme parks and attractions, leading to the closure of many of the locations that originally put Florida on the map as an entertainment destination. These original parks may now belong to Florida’s past, but they played an integral role in creating the tourist state that Florida is today. Read on to take a look into a few important building blocks in Florida’s theme park history. Cypress Gardens: Florida's First Tourist Attraction

The Role of an HOA and What Every Resident Should Know

Enforcing Rules and Common Parking Policies

Holiday Decorating in Your HOA Community Setting up a yard display of twinkling decorations is part of what makes this time of year so magical. If you live in an HOA community, it’s essential to review the rules your HOA board has set for decorating your space to avoid hassle and prevent violations. Following these guidelines ensures your holiday cheer doesn’t come at the expense of community harmony. Your HOA is tasked with maintaining property values, keeping your neighborhood orderly, and fostering a sense of community. Any rules about holiday decorating are designed with these goals in mind. Below are some common guidelines you may encounter to help you stay compliant while creating your holiday displays.

For those of us living in an HOA community, keeping a maintained lawn should always be a priority. One of your Homeowner’s Association’s jobs is to help maintain the property values of your community, and keeping your lawns and the exteriors of your homes looking beautiful is one of the ways that goal is accomplished. Not to mention the benefit to you and your neighbors of living in a well-maintained community where everyone plays their part. A well-maintained space means picturesque lawns as much as it means that you won’t have to worry about any debris blocking sidewalks or any overgrown lawns attracting bugs or pests. The lawn regulations your HOA board decides on are there to help ensure your community meets these lawncare goals, but taking care of a lawn is not entirely different from tending a garden – the ubiquitous grass can make us forget that this humble plant still needs attention and care to flourish as much as possible. Read on for a comprehensive guide to taking care of your grass as we enter Florida’s dry season, as well as some helpful information to better understand lawncare year-round, giving you a beautiful space to be proud of—and of course, to help you avoid those violations! Ready to enhance your community with beautifully maintained lawns? Reach out to Artemis Lifestyles today!

With Artemis Lifestyles in our name, we claim to know a lot about creating exciting community culture for our residents, especially here in Florida! But many people new to living in HOA or COA-managed communities may not know the ins and outs of everything a Lifestyles Director can actually do for your neighborhood. A Lifestyles Director is an incredible resource that can turn life in your community into an experience that reaches far beyond the doors of your home.