We won the ASLA Colorado 2024 Professional Award for the best park.
South Aurora Regional Improvement Authority (SARIA)
To follow up from our September newsletter regarding the letter the City of Aurora sent to residents wanting to amend our service plan, Wheatlands continues to work with Law of the Rockies regarding SARIA as we have not approved Master Plan No3 or any additional service plan amendments. After we engaged council regarding this, we received the following update from the City last month: The City of Aurora will not be holding the Public Hearing on the SARIA member district service plan amendments this coming Monday, September 9. City Council also will not be discussing the service plan amendments during Study Session on Monday. The entire service plan amendment process has been delayed to a timeline uncertain. No attendance is needed on Monday.
Landscape Maintenance
Finished fall pruning of trees. Will turn off irrigation in October. Replacement trees were planted mid-September. Mulch application is scheduled for November near the recreation Center. Cox presented a proposal for fixing drains for next year near the park. For the soccer field this year they completed 2nd round of application and put in final soil amendment as the season wraps up. They have to wait until the season is over as the application looks like dirt and will make the field temporarily muddy.
Vandalism
We have caught the vandals at the park and they were reported to the PAR and fined by the district. We appreciate the community’s help with narrowing down the timeframe and the community members who have assisted with apprehending the vandals.
The graffiti issue still continues, unfortunately and cleanup is costly to the district and ultimately to the residents. Please report any suspicious activity.
Clubhouse Parking Lot
We have scheduled re-pavement and crack seal repair during Fall break so hopefully it will have little impact to the Pine Ridge students and parents. The parking lot will be closed during the maintenance. In addition, we have engaged Colorado Lighting to fix a broken conduit to one of the parking lot lights. So you will see several repairs happening around the clubhouse parking lot during October.
Power Line Trail
The City of Aurora provided several easement drawings to the board during our September meeting. We are granting them access so they can begin the pavement of the trail that is west of Wheatlands that will connect Wheatlands Metro District to the other trail systems. We were not given a timeline on when this work will begin but are excited that we will connect to the trail system soon.
Covenant Enforcement
Fall Landscaping Tips
Here are some tips to keep your yard healthy this fall.
Pull weeds – Do it now; you’ll have fewer weeds next season.
Rake debris – Rake and remove the leaves in the yard to avoid damage to the grass so you can enjoy a healthier lawn next summer. Doing so also can protect water quality. In winter, freezing and thawing can cause leaves, dead grass plants, and other organic debris to release soluble forms of phosphate (and nitrates). If these chemicals run off frozen ground during spring snow melt and early spring rains, they can end up in surface water.
Seed and fertilize – Fall is the ideal time to give your lawn the TLC it needs after the heat and activity of summer and before the harsh winter months. Generally, cool-season grasses should be fertilized from September through November, and warm-season grasses should be fertilized a bit earlier. Seed dead or bare spots and overseed the full lawn to get dense, plush grass, rich in color.
Keep your grass 2 to 2½ inches tall—If your grass gets much taller (more than 3 inches), it will mat, which could lead to winter lawn disease problems such as snow mold. If you cut it shorter than 2 inches, you’ll severely limit its ability to make and store food for growth in the spring and encourage weed growth.
Complete a deep water – Give trees and shrubs a deep watering after the leaves on the trees drop and just before turning the outside water off for the season.
Prune plants– Prune plants and cut perennials back close to the ground.
Water and equipment—Shut off water lines to the outside. If you have an automatic irrigation system, have it blown out with compressed air before the water freezes in the pipes to avoid damage.
Following these seasonal recommendations will help ensure the health of your yard.
Holiday Lighting and Decorations
While it may be hard to believe, holiday season is, in fact, fast approaching. Cue the holiday parties, lights and decorations. Here is an opportunity to review you District’s rules.
Per the Wheatlands Residential Improvement Guidelines section 3.44 Lights and Lighting “Holiday lighting and decorations do not require approval. It is required that they not be installed more than forty-five (45) days prior to the holiday.
They shall be removed within thirty (30) days following the holiday.” If you have any questions or concerns regarding holiday lighting and decorations, please email [email protected]
This four-in-one event is a great way to celebrate Fall and get ready for Halloween
Trick or Treat Trail (10am – 12pm): This is one of Southlands biggest one-day events. Southlands businesses greet all you ghosts and goblins for some Trick or Treat fun!
Pumpkin Patch (10am – 3pm): Shop the Patch and pick out your favorite pumpkin!
Fall Market (10am – 3pm): Check out all the great finds at this year’s Fall Market. Food, Wine, Art, Jewelry and Accessories…there’s something for everyone!
Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest: Register your Fido, Fee Fee, Biscuit or Boopsie for this annual event to benefit the Aurora Police Foundation!
YMCA of Metropolitan Denver – | 6100 S Kewaunee Way | Aurora, CO 80016 US
