For our furry friends who like to romp and play, the Pikes Peak Region offers a variety of off-leash areas where they can play to their heart’s content.
https://www.trailsandopenspaces.org/get-outdoors/dog-park/

In an effort to reduce management inputs (water, mowing, fertilization, pest management) and labor, HOAs often consider the replacement of mowed, irrigated turf (bluegrass, fescues) with grass species (usually referred to as “native grasses”) that should require fewer inputs (less/no water, infrequent mowing, no fertilizer, few pesticides). These areas are often referred to as “native grass” areas because their unmowed (or less frequently mowed) appearance sometimes looks like that of an unmanaged, native prairie. Read more detail in the article you can download below 

Key complaints  heard about the native grass are:

1. They are weeds that look unkempt
2. It needs to be mowed more frequently
3. It harbors weeds and bugs
4. Conventional, mowed turf is better

Key benefits to the native grasses are:

1. It requires FAR less water than conventional turf. It also requires less effort in general, in the way of maintenance, as this grass naturally thrives in this region.
2. The native is a planned part of the Pine Creek Village landscape design aesthetic; to mimic the look of a river/creek bed landscape.
3. It (in theory) reseeds itself.​

Learn more at https://www.pcva.org/uploads/7/8/8/7/78875826/native_grass_info_for_pcva.pdf

Wildlife can be found in and around the urban areas of Colorado’s fast-growing Front Range. As Colorado Springs and its neighboring communities continue to grow and expand, subdivision development impacts wildlife habitat and wild animals are often displaced. Some species continue to live in open space areas, parks, undeveloped parcels of land, river bottoms, and on or near bodies of water. Others have adapted well to urban living; skunks and raccoons, in particular, appear to thrive around urban environments. In most circumstances, people and wildlife can coexist but the key is to remember that wildlife are not pets; they are wild animals. Most dangerous and potentially harmful encounters with wildlife occur because people fail to leave the animals alone.

Preventing wildlife encounters
-Do not feed wildlife.
-Keep pet food inside.
-Cover window wells with grates, wire, or plastic covers.
-Fill gaps or holes around the foundation of your residence to eliminate a place for animals to live.
-Seal all cracks and holes larger than ¼ inch in diameter to keep rats, mice, bats, and snakes out of a structure.
-Screen fireplace chimneys, and furnace, attic and dryer vents, and keep dampers closed to prevent wildlife entry.
-Bury wire mesh one to two feet deep to prevent animals from burrowing in unwanted areas.
-Store garbage in metal or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids, inside a garage or shed.
-Mark windows with strips of white tape or with raptor silhouettes to help prevent birds from flying into windows.
-Fence gardens and pick fruit from trees before it ripens and clean up fallen fruit.
-Keep bird feeders out of reach.
-Burn food off grills and clean after each use.
-Keep windows and doors closed and locked, including residence, garage, and vehicle doors.
-Do not leave food, trash, coolers, air fresheners, or anything that smells in your vehicle.

Resources
Learn more at coloradosprings.gov/office-emergency-management/page/living-wildlife
More information at Colorado Parks and Wildlife page cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/LivingwithWildlife.aspx
Learn about individual animal species https://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/SpeciesProfiles.aspx
Colorado Parks & Wildlife website https://cpw.state.co.us/ 
Nuisance Wildlife Laws in Colorado        https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/NuisanceWildlife.pdf

Homeowners are responsible for maintaining yard lights on their lot in like-new condition.  Damaged fixtures must be replaced with the identical type and color fixture (bronze/dark).  Refer to Section 4.16.1 of the Community Guidelines.

You can get the HOA approved yard light fixture (https://shop.peak-lighting.com/424069) at Peak Lighting, 4315 Sinton Road, Colorado Springs, CO  80907. The SKU number for this fixture is SKU 424069. Contact Peak Lighting if you need a replacement light at 719-531-5200 

Peak Alerts are notifications sent through a software called Everbridge by public safety agencies in El Paso and Teller Counties.  Peak Alerts notify you of emergency situations that are a threat to life or property and are deemed dangerous by public safety officials.  Examples of emergency situations may include but is not limited to, natural or man-made disasters, hazardous materials incidents, missing persons, law enforcement activity impacting the public, evacuation notices, and more.

Peak Alerts notify you of emergencies that happen near your registered address(es) or current location (if you are using the Everbridge app).  To sign-up for these alerts, you must create an account with your contact information to include your address and at least one contact method.  The information you provide is protected and will not be used for any other purpose.  You choose how you want to receive these messages.  Messages can be sent via text, phone call, email, mobile app, fax, and more. When you confirm receipt of a message, the system will stop attempting to contact you. If you do not confirm the message, the system will continue to attempt to reach your other registered contact methods.

It is important to note that during an emergency, you should use as many forms of communication as possible to stay informed.  Stay tuned to news broadcasts, radio stations, social media, websites, weather radios, etc. It is recommended that you signup as an individual rather than a household as notifications will stop once a user confirms receipt of the message. If at any time you feel you are in danger, you should take whatever action you feel is necessary to get yourself to safety.

Sign up online at https://member.everbridge.net/index/1772417038942752?fbclid=IwAR3dnF2z9_qpMLsbTneHxDW-7DM2jlySQNXR2UOvw4O-13JLlvOJzOus5fo#/signup

​Receive push-alerts to your mobile device anytime you travel into an area of an active incident. You can download the Everbridge app here:  https://www.everbridge.com/app/

Please do not forget to paint fence repairs to keep the neighborhood looking good.
There are two types of fencing in Pine Creek - the dark green metal "view" fence, and the brown wood plank fence. To paint your own fence - the correct paint / stain colors are:
     Green View Fence: To purchase the correct green paint (Olympic Pine; Pine Creek Green) homeowners must go to the Sherwin Williams store near Powers and Dublin (6345 Source Center Point, Colorado Springs, CO 80923, (719) 260-1767).  The paint is an oil based Alkyd Enamel, #N8-809.  Use the number, and if they cannot find the formula, tell them it is under the Rainbow Paint company mixtures. (Updated December 12, 2019)
     Brown Wood Plank Fence: Homeowners now can purchase the PCVA approved wood fence color at either Lowe's or Home Depot. Ask for Lowe's "Pine Creek Picket" Valspar exterior solid stain OR  Home Depot's "Pine Creek Brown Fence" Behr solid wood stain.  ​