**Pools, Parties and Outdoor Pits: Keeping Outdoor Multifamily Amenities Accessible and Secure**
_This is the second part of a two-part series. You can read the first article, “Summer is Coming—Time for a Seasonal Apartment Amenities Focus,” for more on this topic._
**By Connect CRE Staff**
As the summer sun creeps higher, managing warm-weather amenities in multifamily properties becomes increasingly critical. But it’s not as simple as adding chlorine to the pool or fluffing seat cushions. Experts agree that summertime amenities bring operational challenges due to increased demand, foot traffic, and safety concerns.
Brian Buccino, President and COO of LIVunLtd, underscores the pressure: “Managing summertime amenities comes with unique operational pressures due to high demand and increased foot traffic.” Alexandra LaFlam, National Account Executive at WithMe Inc., adds, “Overcrowding, amenity misuse, and supply strain are common challenges, especially during the summer when resident activity surges.”
Together with Athenes Bauza of FirstService Residential, the group emphasized that active, continuous oversight is crucial to ensuring safety and satisfaction as residents enjoy pools, lounge decks, dog parks, and barbecue pits.
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**Increased Usage, Many Challenges**
Athenes Bauza, Business Development Director for New Development and Multifamily Rentals, explains that owners and managers must strike a careful balance between maximizing amenity offerings and maintaining safety.
“Often, properties leverage existing building staff to maintain and manage amenity spaces to control costs,” said Bauza. But this can leave teams overstretched, with maintenance workers tasked with responsibilities outside their training.
Resource supply is another obstacle. Shortages of pool towels, dog park disposal bags, and coffee supplies are increasingly common during summer months. “Resource management changes during the summer,” noted LaFlam.
Keeping outdoor areas clean, repairing broken furniture, addressing system outages, and policing for unauthorized guests or alcohol use pose additional challenges that escalate with nice weather and resident enthusiasm.
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**Baking in the Solutions**
Staff training and preparedness top the list of potential solutions. “Whenever possible, we encourage properties to hire staff who can manage people traffic, observe health department protocols and follow hospitality-driven standards,” said Bauza.
Buccino recommends hiring and training seasonal staff early. “To ensure staff return, offer competitive pay and consider incentive-based bonuses,” he added.
Enforcement of rules is also essential. “Communicate the rules ahead of time and post them on site,” Buccino advised. Staff should be trained to manage violations professionally and consistently, and must participate in emergency drills for preparedness.
Technology also has a major role to play. Buccino explained the benefits of access control systems tied to resident profiles, preventing unauthorized entry. LaFlam pointed out that historical tenant behavior data can help forecast supply needs efficiently. Meanwhile, Bauza highlighted how tech tools can monitor pool occupancy and enforce usage limits.
Finally, resident communication can play a preventative role. “Summer is a great time to re-educate residents on amenity expectations,” said LaFlam. “A kickoff message outlining rules and etiquette can set the tone for the season and reduce friction.”
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_This article was originally published on ApartmentBuildings.com._
