Grounds Improvement Report

Cedar Springs Grounds Improvement Report
March 6, 2007

John Childs, Kippy Strandberg, Susan Miller, and Alex Taylor walked the grounds today to discuss the work accomplished by the Simply Yards staff and to determine what work still needs to be completed. John was very amenable to all the suggestions and requests we presented. They include the following:

1. Drainage problems will be addressed around the following units: 1909, 1903, 1910, 1814, 1808, and 1806. It is understood that some drainage problems will still exist because of omissions during the original construction.

2. Plants will be moved away from the siding of the following units: 1802 (Court), and 1901, 1903, 1907, 1909, 1801, and 1804 (Lane).

3. Dead trees behind unit 1811 (Court) will be removed.

4. The maple tree by the sidewalk near 1802 (Lane) will be removed at owners’ request and replanted behind unit 1808.

5. The cleanup around the creek will be completed. Blackberriy bushes will be removed, and branches & leaves lying on the ground will be removed in places where the area isn’t being left natural.

6. Dead branches around 1813 and 1901 will be removed.

7. The lawn will be lifted and soil will be amended at the entrance of the Court area and across the street from unit 1811.

8. Many of our escalonia bushes have been damaged or killed by the freeze. The hard freeze occurred after we signed the contract with Simply Yards, so it is not their responsibility to replace them. John Childs suggests that we give them several months to see if they grow back rather than take them out at this time. We have dozens of escalonia and will need to consider replacements in the future for the ones that have died. John suggests replacing the dead ones with a plant that is more winter resistant. This will eventually be an extra cost to the association.

9. It was decided not to put in a border separating the gravel walkway from the new soil and bark behind the units abutting the creek. Leaving the walkway level with the ground keeps the appearance more natural and less formal, which complements the appearance of the natural wetlands area.

10. More than 280 plants were added to our grounds during the project. These plants were specifically chosen for the areas they are in. They are meant not only to beautify the grounds but also to provide a buffer between the units. If you have not yet walked the grounds, please do so and notice all the new plantings. Their beauty will be especially noticeable as spring progresses. Their colors and blossoms will change with the seasons.

If you have any specific concerns about the project at this point, please call Kippy Strandberg as soon as possible so that any extra work can be done with the rest of these items.