What Makes a Community?
“Home is where the heart is”. A common mantra among homeowners throughout the country, and an apt description in its own right. People coming together and breaking bread, stories shared over an open fire. Working as a unit to hang wreaths on streetlights for Christmas and coordinating carpools for yet another hockey tournament.
Community is what brings us together through not only geography but shared community features. That hidden gem of a diner everybody in town knows. The pond in a neighbor’s backyard polished every year so all the kids can play hockey. The annual family trip to Gull Lake where you watch fireworks every fourth of July.
Communities can be any manner of size or space or event. From checking out the local Farmer’s Market to Voting Day, there are many ways we all come together. There is very little as rewarding as bettering our communities and working together. Through companionship and shared values we design a life we can all benefit from and enjoy together.
How Can we Get Involved in our Communities?
There are a ton of resources available for volunteer work in your town! In Maple Grove we have resources like Experience Maple Grove who serve as a lightning rod for activity in the community. Interested in entertainment? Consider attending local festivals, farmer’s markets, and local parks. Above all, remember we all work together to make our communities thrive!
We highlight Maple Grove a lot here at Bold North Real Estate because we are born and raised here. This community means a lot to us and we consider our business here a wonderful opportunity to be a positive influence. Also, most Maple Grove residents consider the entire town their community. But what about other parts of the Twin Cities? Does every town share this same concept of community?
A Different Type of Community
Let’s take a look at one our local pocket communities: Lake Minnetonka. This huge expanse of blue has 23 different bays, each with their own unique way of life. The homes are different, the businesses are different, and the rules are different. Each town on the lake is hyper-local and they are extremely proud of their small towns. Downtown Excelsior is a marvel of high-quality goods and services. Mound is hilly and offers old-town charm. Wayzata presents gorgeous condos with lake views and a wonderful shopping experience. Each community is unique, and yet they all sit on the same body of water.
Even within a town there can be multiple communities. Each church, synagogue, and temple are their own community. Every school has their own culture and programs available. Medicine Lake is unique despite being entirely surrounded by Plymouth. Basically, communities come in all shapes and sizes and there is something for everyone!
So how can we create our own community?
By identifying shared values and creating an environment we can share in them! If you have a bunch of Vikings fans on your block, take turns hosting to cheer on the Purple and Gold. If your kids play hockey, bring hot chocolate or coffee for all the other parents. Create a team and join your local pickleball league. Explore local cuisine and find others who enjoy quality meals and fine wine. The opportunities are endless; just pick something you care about and share it with others!
This is part of what I love about new construction. It is an opportunity to create something entirely new and for new people to find one another. Families gathering around the playground in the center of the neighborhood, sharing stories as kids play. All the children going to the same school realizing they live in the same neighborhood too. Enjoying conversations as you go for your evening stroll past all the homes.
The opportunity to create new communities is everywhere. We just have to be willing to share our passions with the world!
