Creating Connections: 7 Tips to Building Community in Your Area

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Photo By Toby Hemenway

The good news about creating strong local communities is that anyone can do it. You can discover what you have in common with your neighbors, enjoy activities close to home, and share in the time-honored traditions of trading tools and borrowing a cup of sugar. Try one of the ideas below, or come up with your own ­community activity.

Step Outside. Get to know your neighborhood. Say hello when you spot a neighbor shoveling snow or putting out the trash. If you don’t have much contact with your neighbors, try asking for advice. Ask about where to recycle your old ­computer, the best route for a bike ride, or a good auto mechanic.

Discover where people congregate. Make a visit to the local park or corner coffee shop a part of your routine, and meet other regulars. In a Rock Hill, South Carolina, neighborhood, a pink flamingo pops up on a different front lawn each month to signal that everyone is welcome for afternoon tea on the second Tuesday of the month.

Bring the family. Take the kids on a scavenger hunt. Scour your neighborhood for the tallest tree, a stained-glass window, a birdbath, or other “treasures.” You’ll see your neighborhood ­differently, and you may meet a few curious neighbors. Other activities could include trading babysitting or cat sitting, neighborhood potluck dinners, or a meal exchange with a neighbor who shares your food tastes—you each make twice as much ­dinner and trade the extra portions to get two meals in one.

Grow a green thumb. Find out how your neighbor grows such gorgeous peonies. Offer to exchange cuttings of favorite plants, or swap those excess zucchinis for some juicy tomatoes. Curious about composting? A local garden club or the county extension service may know of a local ­gardener who’s mastered the art and is willing to share some tips. Invite the neighbors over to learn from an expert.