SP2013 Community Site - add web parts to home page

I'm probably missing something basic, but I'm trying to add new user control based content to the'Community Home.aspx'  page within a Community Site. How is that done?

I've tried editing the page in my browser, but there's no way to insert web parts (I have a web part wrapper that loads a user control).

I've also tried editing the page directly in Designer, and while I can add the web part while editing the page, when i save the page my added content is removed.

My goal is to add a custom menu to each page within the Community Site, with links to other pages in the site and outside the site. I want them in a menu form at the top of each page.

Any tips would be appreciated.

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