REMINDER: Waste Management WILL NOT be serving our community on May 26th, Memorial Day .  Trash service will resume on the next Tuesday, May 27th.   Please remind your neighbors when you see them.  You can always check the most current schedule here - https://www.pcva.org/events.html

As the weather turns warmer and it stays light longer, the incidence of neighborhood harassment and vandalism tends to rise (ring and run, egging homes, toilet papering trees, stealing yard ornaments, racing cars and motorcycles, dumping trash, graffiti, etc.). Parents and guardians, please be sure to remind children that it is not OK to prank or harass others, and that what they think is fun may be viewed as a crime, an attack on an individual, or even an attempted home invasion.   
 
In Colorado Springs, it is unlawful for persons under the age of eighteen (18) years to loiter or to aimlessly drive or ride about, on or about any street, road, sidewalk, park, playground, yard, or building, whether public or private, without the consent or permission of the owner or occupant thereof, between Midnight on Friday and Saturday nights (10pm Sunday night through Thursday night) and 6:00am the next morning.
 
It is unlawful for the parent, guardian, or other adult person having the care and custody of a juvenile under the age of eighteen (18) years to knowingly permit or allow the juvenile to loiter or to aimlessly drive or ride about at the places and within the time prohibited
 
Read the Loitering Ordinance / Curfew rules for Colorado Springs at
codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/coloradospringsco/latest/coloradosprings_co/0-0-0-16212
 
Learn more about neighborhood safety at the National Crime Prevention Council's website http://www.ncpc.org/topics/home-and-neighborhood-safety

The Watering Hole at Venezia Park, located in northeast Colorado Springs at John Venezia Community Park, has more than a dozen water features that are directly adjacent to an award-winning universally accessible playground, plus sports fields, courts, and trails. When open,  its daily operating hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m.  https://coloradosprings.gov/parks/page/john-venezia-park

Park Hours - November 1 to April 30: 5 am - 9 pm. and May 1 to October 31: 5 am - 10 pm

Amenities:

•  The park has a ranch theme with elements designed to resemble what would be traditionally found on a homestead; including:
• "The Homestead:" a large pavilion and picnic area with orchards and parking lot.
• "The Corral:" a universally accessible playground and shade shelters
• "The Watering Hole:" a spray ground (restrooms located in this area)
• "The Round Pin:" a small artificial turf field
• "The Range:" three size "A" soccer fields, in-line hockey rink/basketball court, four pickleball courts, plaza overlooking multi-use fields, small playground, restrooms, two parking lots, nearby on-street parking
• "The Pastures:" 3 Reservable Pavilions and two shade shelters, gravel walking loops, parking lot
• The park also features: Briargate trail (along Briargate Parkway), two miles of interior sidewalks, two acres of Bluegrass

Park Rules

• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in City Parks by Ordinance No. 9-9-410.
• Parking/Vehicular Access: Motorized vehicles of all types including golf carts, gators, ATVs, etc, are strictly prohibited on park property, lawns, turf, restricted roadways, bicycle/pedestrian pathways, creek pathways, turf or athletic fields. All cars must be parked in designated parking areas.
• Trash and debris must be disposed of properly.
• Open fires and charcoal grills are prohibited. Place propane grills on hard surfaces such as a concrete pad or picnic table. 
• It is unlawful for any person to injure, deface, destroy, sever or remove any park property.
• If you are using amplified equipment for your picnic or event, you will need to obtain a noise permit through the Police Department per Ordinances No. 9-8-101 through 9-8-109. Please contact CSPD at 444-7705 regarding noise permits. No permit is confirmed until the noise permit has been approved.
• The posting of signs leading to a reservation area or hanging decorations or other materials on park buildings, structures or vegetation is prohibited.
• The smoking of any cigarette, pipe, cigar or electronic smoking device is prohibited on park property unless a designated area is provided. No. 6-6-202
• It is unlawful for any unauthorized person to attach any rope, wire or other contrivance to any tree or plant in any park.

Pet Rules
9.9.301: ANIMAL DEFECATION:
It is unlawful for any person to allow any animal over which the person has control to defecate upon any park land without the excrement being removed by the person in control of the animal from the park and dispose of properly. The Park Manager may designate areas of the parks where the rule does not apply. (Ord. 18-24)

9.9.302: DOGS, DOMESTIC ANIMALS AT LARGE:
A. It is unlawful for any person to lead or allow to be loose any animal upon park premises; dogs, however, may be led or carried but not allowed loose. Dogs may be loose but under the control of the owner or keeper in those areas designated as dog parks or off-leash areas. Nothing in this section shall be construed as permitting the running of dogs at large. All dogs in those areas where the animals are permitted without leashes shall be under control at all times.
B. In any dog park or off-leash area designated by the Park Manager in which dogs are permitted without leashes, it is unlawful for any person:
  1. To intentionally, knowingly or recklessly lead, bring or release any other type or species of animal into or upon the confined or fenced dog park or off-leash area; or
  2. To fail to obey any posted rules, regulations or guidelines for use of the fenced dog park or off-leash area.
  3. To bring a dangerous animal, as defined in section 6.7.102 of this Code, into a fenced dog park or off-leash area. (Ord. 18-24)

https://coloradosprings.gov/parks-trails-open-space

2.1 TRASH AND RECYCLING  
To ensure compliance with waste and recyclables, the PCVA provides Pine Creek a single waste management and recycling company.  

• Do not place trash/recycling bins at the curb prior to 6 PM the day before service and stow the bins by 8 PM the day of service.  
• To prevent blowing trash and/or attracting animals, and in alignment with the trash/recycling company policy, all trash/recyclables must be inside the bins with the lid closed.  
• When not at the curb for service, stow trash/recycle bins out of view from the street or neighboring homes. 

Learn all about PCVA Trash & Recycling services at https://www.pcva.org/trash--recycling.html 

There are many factors to consider on how much and how often you should water, but Colorado Springs Utilities provides some good info to consider at https://www.csu.org/Pages/Wateringyouryard.aspx and a fact sheet of how to "cycle and soak" water to maximize your watering efficiency by watering a little bit at a time is available at https://www.csu.org/CSUDocuments/cyclesoak.pdf
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Watering Tips

• Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
• Water in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
• If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption. Learn about this technique by watching a short video on cycle soak irrigation.
• Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
• Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it’s still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water.
• Choose shrubs and ground covers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
• Walkways and patios provide space that doesn't ever need to be watered. These useful "rooms" also add value to your property.
• Spread a layer of organic mulch around plants to retain moisture.

Learn more at ​https://www.csu.org/pages/outside-the-home.aspx