Lighting

Something most community board members don't think about is lighting.  Something as simple as landscape lighting can make a seemingly drab unexciting or simple landscape just pop.  Adding lighting is one of the easiest ways to create interest without costing a huge amount of money. 

You can do things like add color changing rope lights to the bottom of palm trees, around the pool and spa, along the top of planter walls, use them on trees with multiple trunks, etc.  If your street lighting is fairly old the city has different styles of lights that can be leased for a small fee.  Instead of using cheap looking walkway lights install rope lights along the sidewalk then place a pole light or post light in the middle.  Pole/Post lights will cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to one thousand dollars plus installation each.  However, the ambient lighting will add more to the look and feel of the community than anything else.  The better the lighting and easier it is to see the more comfortable people will become walking around in the evening.  Which in turn will create a better sense of community and create more of a small town environment.  

Keep in mind to stick with the same style lighting as the homes.  Don't try and turn the community into something that is isn't.  Keep it simple.  Think of it like a sexy simple black dress that is elegant, & stunning with the right accessories and hair style.  That can also be dressed down to be worn to work or church.  You never know what the future holds so don't lock your community into something that cannot be easily changed.