Garden Communities Crowns New ‘Golden Resident,’ Linda Ciampi of Lake Hiawatha

Linda Ciampi has loved her apartment at Knoll Gardens since the day she moved in. With two children in tow, she moved to the Lake Hiawatha development in 1975 to be close to her parents, and was thrilled that her kids could stay in their own school and be close to their friends.

Fifty years later, Garden Communities, Knoll Gardens’ developer and owner, recently named Ciampi as the company’s 22nd “Golden Resident.” The program, established in 2020, honors loyal residents who have lived in their apartments for 50 years or more with a year’s free rent and special ceremony.

“Thank you doesn’t even begin to express how grateful I am,” Ciampi said upon learning of her Golden Resident status. “I couldn’t believe that I was getting such a generous gift. I have always been very happy here and love calling Knoll Gardens home. I can’t ask for anything better.”

Ciampi glows about her first-floor apartment and the wonderful maintenance staff at Knoll Gardens. She also loves that her development is close to all major highways and shopping centers. And, to this day, one of her favorite amenities at the complex is the beautiful pool.

Ciampi cherishes being close to her daughter, who lives in Rockaway and comes to see her often. Her son lives a bit further in Washington, N.J., but also comes to visit, as do her two grandchildren. A former bowling league member and longtime assistant financial secretary for a large carpenters union, Ciampi said her neighbors have changed over the years.

Ciampi agreed that while it is no longer common for people to remain in one place for 50 years, it is even less common for property managers to reward that loyalty. According to Garden Communities’ Maria Friscia, who supervises the Golden Resident program, loyalty and longevity are common themes throughout the firm’s legacy portfolio. “This program is just so meaningful for everyone, and the celebration is always so heartwarming.”

As one of the region’s most active developers, Short Hills, N.J.-based Garden Communities has a robust multifamily project pipeline that will introduce dozens of new rental apartment and townhome communities in the tri-state area over the next several years. Garden Communities is recognized for its responsive, hands-on approach to property operations, and its focus on meeting the needs and desires of modern renters.