Gates Creek Beautification and Garden Club Report
Overview:
The GCBGC is
a volunteer group created in late 2016. The groups initial purpose was to be a
resource for homeowner volunteers interested in assisting the HOA Landscape
committee to aid in landscape design of the subdivision entrances and common
areas. The group currently has two active homeowners.
Year 2016:
-
GCBGC volunteers donated over 90 hours in trash
collection and landscaping of common areas.
a) Volunteers removed trash and debris from the
common areas around storm water ponds # 1 and #2.
1) Approximately five (30) gallon trash bags were
filled. Wood and pieces of broken furniture were also collected and disposed.
b) Volunteers also re-landscaped the RT34 west
entrance, relocating many of the perennials and installing new bushes and
summer annuals. In fall, summer annuals were replaced with fall annuals.
c) Volunteers began tree pruning and brush
removal around pond #2.
Year 2017:
-
GCBGC volunteers donated over 150 hours in trash
collection and landscaping of common areas. Performing and completing the
following:
a)
Landscaping route
34 entrance south (April - August)
1)
Installed
(1) 420 marigolds
(2) 5 blanket flowers
(3) 6 dwarf barberry
(4) 1.5 yards3
of cocao mulch
(5) 400 lbs of decomposed rustic granite
2)
Removed
(1) 3 junipers
(2) 2 spirea
b)
Executing
provisional development of natural spring area with bridge located between 275 Willowwood and Pond #2.
1)
Removing of
invasive trees, bushes and weeds.
2)
Pruning and removing
dead trees in the Birch copse.
3)
Creating, and
currently maintaining, several small walking trails located between the creek
and the west side of pond #2.
4)
Installed
several small plant test plots:
(1)
Test Plot 1
has 10 water irises, 5 sweet flag plants installed along creek shore near small
waterfall.
(2)
Test Plot 2
has 1 sweet flag, 2 swamp marigolds installed just north of bridge.
(3)
Test Plot 3
has 2 large hostas, 8 white-edged hostas,
2 gold bleeding hearts, 2 brunnera, 2 native grasses.
(4)
Test Plot
has 6 azaleas installed east side of large fallen tree.
(5)
Test Plot
has 3 anemones installed west side of fallen tree approximately 30 feet up
slope of creek.
(6)
Test Plot 6
has 72 hostas, 3 ferns, 5 hydrangeas, installed on west side of concrete walk and
36 pachysandras installed on east side of concrete walk within Birch copse.
c) Obtained
permission from homeowners adjacent to Route 34 entrance and natural area to
use water hose for keeping newly planted landscape irrigated until established.
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