There are a lot of wonderful things about living out in the ‘burbs. As a current city-dweller, I am a big fan of backyards, big spaces, and safe streets.
Unfortunately, however, the suburbs have acquired a bit of a reputation, mostly for conformity. Now, it’s been my experience that plenty of creative people with original ideas make their homes on cul-de-sacs with well-kept lawns.
That said, one community in Missouri isn’t doing much to bolster their standing. Instead, they’re doing their best to punish a local family for stepping outside of the status quo.
The Stout family, of Lee’s Summit, had no idea that they were stirring up a hornet’s nest when they decided to allow their young daughters to pick the color scheme for their backyard jungle gym.
Their daughters, both under the age of ten, wanted to paint their swing-set pink. The parents vetoed the decision and decided to go in a slightly more subtle direction with a dark purple and green color scheme that they found available at the hardware store.
The local Homeowner’s Association (HOA) was not impressed by the compromise. A few weeks after setting up the play equipment, the Stouts were fined by the HOA, and told to remove the structure.
They successfully fought the fine last year, but their fight is far from over. Now, the parents are receiving letters threatening them with jail-time if they fail to remove the structure in the next couple of weeks.
Who do you think is in the right here, the HOA or the Stout family? Please SHARE on Facebook, and let us know your opinion of this community quandary!
