Page 10 - NY Cooperator Expo April 2019

10 THE COOPERATOR —APRIL 2019 COOPERATOR.COM LANDSCAPING, LAWN CARE & CURB APPEAL/EXPO W hether a community is surround- ed by suburbs or big-city high- rises, a little greenery can go a long way in adding visual appeal – and value. den plots of varying shapes and sizes whether the planning, decision making, and mainte- In fact, given the lack of space and the chal- lenge of keeping plants healthy and thriving, throughout sprawling townhome develop- urban gardening is perhaps even more valu- able. Many community associations tend gar- they are on roofs, backyards, or dispersed nance of the property’s appearance. Our com- ments. And while it may seem simple to plant and passers-by often stop to take pictures with a few shrubs and leave it at that, the cultivation our lush landscaping. Landscaping is not an of a garden actually requires the participation inexpensive budget item, and the more the of several different factions who must band community is involved, the better maintained together to reach an aesthetic consensus and the property.” plan how to take care of the project through- out the year, in good weather and bad. If your garden or landscape committees that tend to association is considering a garden project – be very hands on,” says Natalie Fries, a com- or just looking for tips on how to maintain munity manager with Associa Mid-Atlantic an existing one – management professionals in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. “One associa- across several regions offer some sage advice tion that I managed had a farmer/arborist on that may be helpful. Taking Charge An early step in any community garden beautiful.” project is deciding who will assume the re- sponsibility for organizing and planning. Like pitch in on a garden or landscaping project any project, this will likely depend on the is a heartwarming image, more affluent asso- shape and size of the association. “With smaller buildings, the board typi- cally handles the logistics,” says Bart Steele, thing, and then sit back to admire the final a portfolio manager with Barkan Manage- ment Company, Inc., in Boston. “In the larger contractor,” says Susan Fitzpatrick, Director buildings that I’ve managed, there are separate of Residences at The Ritz-Carlton Residences committees that often handle the gardening New York, Westchester. “It removes liability decisions.” Management should also be heavily in- volved. “In my experience, landscaping is of- ten left to the managers,” says Janice Avery, a class,’ so for us, we always use a third-party property manager with FirstService Residen- tial in Chicago. “Sometimes there are com- mittees or board members who chime in and fertilizer or weed killer, you should use a pro- help with some decisions, but that interest can fessional wane, leaving the manager with the responsi- bility. In my current community, I’m fortunate premises, and residents may enjoy having a that the board takes a very active interest in stake in the planting of the property,” Fitzpat- munity has won awards for beautification, nity – especially retirees – with a weekend “In my established associations, there are the board who knew a lot about flowers and plants, and that community was absolutely While a community coming together to ciations (or those whose residents are just re- ally busy) can potentially outsource the whole product. “It’s always best to hire a third-party from the association, as landscaping requires tools and equipment that can lead to injury. Everything we do at Ritz-Carlton is ‘best in landscaper. Anytime you’re utilizing more than light tools, or are using chemicals like “That said, there can be light work on the rick continues. “If you have light tools and a light job, you can always involve the commu- Planning and Maintaining a Community Garden Planting Value BY MIKE ODENTHAL ISTOCKPHOTO.COM REGISTRATION IS FREE BUT THE COST OF NOT GOING COULD BE HIGH. THE COOPERATOR EXPO 2019 WHERE BUILDINGS MEET SERVICES NEW YORK HILTON MIDTOWN — THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 9–4:30 FREE REGISTRATION: COOPEXPO.COM