By Claire Woodward
I moved into my current home in Bloomington during June 2020 (yes, that June 2020). My husband and I had just adopted a German Shepherd puppy and realized having a fenced yard would make our lives a lot easier than going on 8 walks a day around our townhouse complex. It was also the magical era of low interest rates and before huge housing price spikes. We were excited to move into our first home and felt very lucky. Despite these advantages, the early pandemic days also meant that when we moved into our well-established neighborhood, we didn’t end up meeting our neighbors. 
We’ve spent five years in that neighborhood now, still trying to figure out ways to meet the people we’ve been living next to for years. We wave when they walk their dogs, and they smile at our circus of stroller/kid bike/dog combo. But we still might run to Lowe’s when we can’t find our wrench, or to Kroger if we are short one cup of flour.
Neighborhood associations are one kind of civil society organization that can bring residents together to improve their surroundings, foster a sense of belonging, and advocate for shared interests (and lend that cup of flour!). We have a few neighborhood associations in our Bloomington sample, including the Park Ridge Neighborhood Association, which has chosen to be public in their participation. Such organizations can make a big difference in their towns and cities.
Building Community Connections
Neighborhood associations create opportunities for neighbors to meet, collaborate, and form lasting relationships. Through events like potlucks, monthly discussion groups, block parties, clean-up days, and even some seasonal festivals, they help turn streets into communities.
Improving Local Infrastructure
Associations often serve as a collective voice to advocate for better roads, parks, lighting, and public services. Their organized efforts can influence city planning and ensure that local needs are addressed. For example, The Park Ridge Neighborhood Association has been working on a Neighborhood Greenway project in recent months (a low-speed, low-volume, shared-space street that supports high comfort walking and bicycling connections).
Encouraging Civic Engagement
Neighborhood associations can empower residents to participate in local governance, attend city council meetings, and stay informed about zoning changes or development projects that affect their area. They teach civic skills such as leadership, collaboration, and problem solving. They might have guidelines or rules for their community that teach effective organizing or mobilizing practices.
Preserving Neighborhood Character
Whether it’s maintaining historical charm or promoting sustainable development, neighborhood associations help guide growth in ways that reflect the values of the community.
Perhaps if my husband and I had moved into our house at a time when our neighborhood association was particularly active (or simply, not during a time when people were hesitant to share physical space), we would have developed the geographic connections and community that are particularly important when it comes to things like neighborhood relationships, safety, culture, and yes, that darn cup of flour (a tip for the wise: measure before you start baking!). Neighborhood associations are vital to creating vibrant, resilient, and connected communities. They remind us that when neighbors come together, they can shape the future of their neighborhoods (and by extension, towns, cities, and states) for the better.
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