Pine Creek Village Association
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Lawn Watering Tips

9/30/2021

 
These tips from Colorado Springs Utilities will help keep your lawn healthy while following the water wise rules.
https://www.csu.org/Pages/WateringYourYard.aspx

Keep Yard Waste and Leaves Out of Drains

9/28/2021

 
Yard Waste and Fall Leaves
Did you know grass clippings and leaves blown into the street during yard maintenance end up in storm drains and waterways? This causes problems in the city’s stormwater drainage system and can lead to flooding. It's also a violation of City Code and can result in fines.  

Instead of blowing leaves yard waste into the street try:
- Composting: Researchers found that mulching leaves in the fall resulted in a greener lawn and up to 80% less dandelions the following springs. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers it a form of recycling that prevents filling our landfills, helps prevent pollution, enriches soils and reduces the production of methane gas.  

- Mulching: Using a mower to shred leaves speeds up their decomposition. The shredded leaves make excellent mulch and can be used in flower or vegetable gardens as a natural fertilizer and soil conditioner. 

For more info, check out the Think Outside the Lawn: Managing Yard Waste & Landscape Debris brochure (pdf)

Other Ways to Think Outside the Lawn
- Stop erosion by covering bare ground with grass, gravel or mulch
- Direct runoff by installing swales or berms to slow waster down. Direct gutters and downspouts into green areas.
- Consider water gardens. The benefits include pollution control, flooding protection, habitat creation and water conservation
- Prevent blowing dust by covering gravel and dirt piles
- Consider a rain barrel. They divert water from our drainage systems and the water can be used to grow healthy and lush plants.

​Blocked Street Drains Can Cause FloodingUnswept debris has the potential to flow into vital drainage systems, creating blockages that could cause flooding during the next rain or snow storm. Please remember that the drains on our streets are there for a very functional and important reason, and avoid letting yard debris (branches, clipping, leaves, etc.) move into the street and possibly down the gutter and into the drain.


​To report a blocked drain, please call the City’s Stormwater Division at 719-385-ROAD (7623) or via the City’s free GoCoSprings App  (available at  https://www.coloradosprings.gov/gocosprings)

PCVA's Native Grass and Why We Have It

9/26/2021

 
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.
Facts about PCVA's grass (as of September, 2021):
  1. For several mowing seasons, the native grass in PCVA was over-mowed, sometimes weekly. Due to this, the grass has thinned out in many areas.
  2. Allowing the grass to grow and seed, mowing little or only once a mow season will allow for the grass to thicken.
  3. After some nurturing, the grass will thicken enough to provide its own weed barrier, with little hand-weeding or treatment needed in the future.
Learn more at https://www.pcva.org/uploads/7/8/8/7/78875826/native_grass_info_for_pcva.pdf

PCVA Community Garage Sale was Sept 18th

9/20/2021

 
PCVA Community Garage Sale was September 18th
  • Thanks to everyone that participated
  • Next community garage sale will be in 2022
  • Visit www.pcva.org for details (posted in January 2022)

The Grounds Committee Needs Volunteers

9/13/2021

 
Purpose: The Grounds Committee (GC) is established to advise and assist the PCVA Board and Community Manager to provide effective oversight, sustainment and development of PCVA neighborhood common areas. The GC also provides recommendations to the PCVA Board and the Community Manager on proposed grounds improvements that result in long-term costs savings to the PCVA, while sustaining the aesthetic beauty of the community. Primary emphasis is placed on water usage reduction and low maintenance landscaping.
 
Responsibilities:
  • Assist the PCVA Board and Community Manager in the management of the Homeowners Association (HOA)-defined common areas, to include improvements, landscaping, snow removal, and bid/proposal/ contracts that involve maintain PCVA grounds.
  • Provide the PCVA Board with common grounds improvements, initiatives and ideas for future development.
  • Provide technical assistance and support the PCVA Community Manager in the oversight of the PCVA grounds contracts, as required.
  • Sustain long-term plans for community improvements leading to lower water usage and low maintenance landscaping.
  • Foster positive, effective communication among PCVA members and stakeholders with regard to common area issues (stakeholders include homeowners, PCVA Board, PCVA Management Staff, Landscaping Contractor partners, others as required).
  • Foster a strong continual educational focus across the PCVA members to emphasize water conservation techniques and environmentally sustainable practices that can be readily and economically implemented by homeowners.
  • Maintain an active committee of knowledgeable and experienced volunteers.
  • Maintain familiarity and working knowledge of PCVA business processes to include finances, bills and contracts related to grounds maintenance (e.g., utility bills, landscape contracts, etc.)
  • Committee members should be familiar with active PCVA contracts related to the maintenance and management of the Pine Creek common areas.
  • One committee member will be designated by the Board as the landscape contract liaison to assist the Community Manager and PCVA Board in oversight of landscape contractor(s) performance
  • Snow Removal:
    • Be advised of any snow removal actions per the PCVA/Metco contract
    • Will advise Metco of areas that need tending/revisiting/sanding
    • Community Manager to handle all homeowner calls regarding snow issues and notify Metco and GC
Learn all about PCVA Resident Committees and how to apply at https://www.pcva.org/resident-committees.html
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