It was nice to get some much needed rainfall lately.
With the rain comes standing water and with that comes a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Please take the time to go around your property and empty out any items that hold standing water. If you have a boat, please check if any water has collected on the seat covers or on the Bimini. And make sure you dump out any collected water in your peddle boat or kayak too.
Thank you for taking the time to do that so we can all work together to prevent any mosquito breeding in our community.
Our temperatures seem to be on a downward trend which means more outdoor activity and fall events are starting soon. Our Activities Committee is kicking off the season with a fun family event on Saturday, September 27. I hope to see all our neighborhood kids and families enjoying the many activities planned for them. There will be food trucks in the parking lot, so anyone in the community can come over, grab dinner and watch the fun.
The next big project is a repair to the 53-year old surge pit in our pool pump house. The surge pit is a concrete vault in the floor 14 feet deep and holds the water and chemicals that are then transferred by underground pipes into the pool. Last year we started having pieces of concrete and rusted re-bar falling into the surge pit clogging the lines into the pool. I had a structural engineer and Truesdale Corporation, the company that did all the concrete repair work on our underground vault project, come and evaluate the problem. They determined that the concrete has deteriorated over 53 years and the re-bar is decaying as well.
After the evaluation last year, the Budget and Finance Committee and the Board of Directors decided that this would be a budgeted project for 2025.
Last week I met with the structural engineer so he could put together his project plan for the repair. The Board will review the structural engineering plan when it is completed and move forward with the recommendations.
The provisional plan is to remove all the pool equipment from the pump house, jack hammer the floor and rebuild the surge pit during the month of December. I know how this will impact the swimmers, but it has to be done to keep the pool operational for the future. I know this would be difficult at any time of the year, but December is usually our slowest month, and we have chosen to do it then to inconvenience as few swimmers as possible.
As always, I will keep you informed on the timeline and the status of the project.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call me; 480-332-0050.
Christine
As we continue to maintain the beauty and property value of The Lakes, I want to address a growing concern: the unacceptable condition of many lawns throughout the neighborhood.
What is a lawn?
Let’s begin by clarifying a basic question: What is a lawn? A commonly accepted definition refers to an area of ground covered with grass that is regularly maintained—mowed, watered, and cared for. A patch of mostly weeds cut short does not meet this standard. Neither does a lawn left yellowed, with patchy bare dirt, or shaggy due to neglect.
Water
In our Tempe climate, a Bermuda grass lawn requires at least two waterings per week to stay healthy and green during the summer months. The volume of water matters—if your lawn is still yellow, brittle, or uneven after regular irrigation, it's not getting enough.
Mowing
Mowing is another key part of upkeep. Even though many homeowners rely on biweekly services, Bermuda grass typically requires mowing once a week to remain tidy. If your lawn looks overgrown after seven days, it should be mowed more frequently.
Weeds
Equally important is weed control. A yard consisting mostly or entirely of weeds is not a lawn—it's a sign of neglect and is not acceptable in The Lakes. The most effective method for removing weeds is applying a post-emergent herbicide for actively growing weeds. This should be done consistently throughout the growing season. Hand-pulling may help in small areas but is not practical for larger infestations. Weed control is just one part of maintaining a healthy, attractive lawn—alongside proper watering, mowing, and fertilization. Ignoring any of these elements leads to the kind of deterioration we are unfortunately seeing too often in the community.
It's also important to remember: a lawn service only does what it’s contracted to do. If the results are insufficient, the homeowner—not the service—is responsible for the outcome. Simply hiring a service does not remove your obligation to ensure your property meets community standards.
If you have a lawn, you should also have the means to maintain it. That means owning a hose, sprinkler, or timer system, and yes—even a lawn mower. Our properties are reflections of our pride in this community. Maintaining them is not optional—it’s a responsibility we all share.
Let’s continue working together to make sure The Lakes remains a place we’re proud to call home.
Christine