Looking Back at 2020–2026
As we look back over the past seven years at Garden Patio Villas, it is hard not to appreciate just how much our community has changed. Since 2020, the Board has worked behind the scenes to improve our property values, improve our surroundings, address unexpected challenges, and preserve the community we all call home.
2020 – A Different Time
In 2020, we still had the beautiful 9-hole golf course right next door. Members enjoyed playing golf or watching golfers, and loved having that familiar green landscape as part of our surroundings. It was a special part of life at Garden Patio Villas.
The official Garden Patio Villas website went live! Beyond putting a face to our Association, it streamlined the process for Realtors and new buyers to retrieve key documents. The Board continued to build out the site with articles, financial statements, and essential records to ensure Members had direct access to information. Ultimately, this promoted complete transparency for everyone. We also launched a Facebook page to keep everyone up-to-date on HOA happenings!
Then came a time when the world simply stopped. As COVID spread, daily life shifted to masks and constant hand sanitizer. With the pool closed and Members staying indoors often, a quiet sadness set in. It was a heartbreaking period marked by physical separation and profound loneliness.
2021 – Cleaning Up and Bringing New Life
The Board created the “Villa of the Quarter” then posted the winners on our website for Members to see.
The Board began tackling neglected common areas. In some places, in-between orange blossom and lemon tree, overgrowth of trees were so bad that sunlight couldn’t get through! We addressed sewer line maintenance issues and worked to clean up common areas so lawns could be properly maintained and mowed.
Bingo events and social gatherings brought Members together and were enjoyed, although attendance dwindled with time. We also experienced a frightening car fire, thankfully without damage to a villa or personal injuries.
The clubhouse, which was more than 40 years old, received a much needed makeover. With big hearts, Members helped give that Clubhouse makeover! What a wonderful gift to all our Members!
2022 – Improving and Rebuilding
The Board continued improving record-keeping and learning the many facets of operating a self-managed HOA. After a young man ran into our bushes, we began working toward replacing the hedges with a PVC fence, including pursuing a City grant to help cut the cost in half!
Old and dying ficus bushes were replaced with clusia bushes, common areas continued to receive attention, and additional aging sprinkler valves needed replacement. We also tackled one of our biggest maintenance projects: seal-coating our streets, which had deteriorated over the years.
2023 – Preserving What We Have
The pool and clubhouse pavers were resealed. The original tiles are close to 50 years old. Replacing them would be a considerable expense, so maintaining them was the practical choice.
The Board continued adding to Association records, improving the grounds, and addressing repairs and maintenance one project at a time. The long-awaited PVC fence was finally completed!
We also received notice of the proposed townhome development that would eventually change the landscape surrounding our community.
2024 – Bringing Back Forgotten Spaces
Following Member survey results, the Association restored the neglected shuffleboard court by filling in concrete and adding the small gazebo that numerous Members enjoy today.
The golf course owner added bushes along the boundaries of his property. Meanwhile, we occasionally continued to see coyotes wandering into our backyards looking for food.
More aging fica bushes along 76th Avenue were replaced with clusia bushes. Our arborist was addressing the many trees approaching 50 years of age. Every year there are association trees that become weak, diseased, or damaged by the wind and weather, with branches threatening villas and roofs. These were important issues that required careful attention.
2025 – More Improvements
The clubhouse flooring received a much-needed professional cleaning, polishing, and waxing. We also watched the townhome development begin to take shape, bringing a new chapter to the neighborhood surrounding Garden Patio Villas.
2026 – Celebrating 50 Years!
What a milestone! Garden Patio Villas celebrated its 50th anniversary! Fifty years of neighbors, friendships, families, changes, and memories. It is quite an accomplishment for our community!
Unfortunately, repairs and maintenance won’t stop occurring in a 50 year old homeowner’s association. Our clubhouse roof was replaced by our healthy reserves. The northwest security gate system is currently in the permit stage. (Funds were given to the Association to resolve a potential traffic problem by the previous golf course owner and Pulte Homes.)
And Through It All… Life Continues
Over these seven years, villas changed hands, longtime neighbors and family passed away, and new Members joined our community. Some of us celebrated wonderful milestones, while others experienced loss, difficult times, and personal challenges. Life brought us joy, excitement, sadness, and everything in-between.
The Board has worked to address the needs of our community, often handling projects that Members may not see or even realize are taking place. Improvements don’t always happen overnight. Sometimes they come one repair, one cleanup, one decision, and one project at a time.
As you look through these pictures, we hope they bring back some wonderful memories and remind you of how far Garden Patio Villas has come.
Seven years of changes. Fifty years of history. One HOA community we are fortunate to call home.
Here’s to remembering where we’ve been and looking forward to what’s still ahead!
