Recently in Landscaping Category

This spring LEAF - Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests is offering residents of Guelph, Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and surrounding area up to $100 off native trees and shrubs through our Cool Communities Residential Shade Tree Planting Program. Designed to aid homeowners in strategically planting native trees and shrubs for home energy conservation, the program will be available at participating retail nurseries from Wednesday, April 20 to Sunday, June 5. For more details and locations visit www.yourleaf.org or call 416-413-9244.

As you've probably noticed over the last couple of days, there has been a flurry of landscaping activity in our neighbourhood. Our contracts with Sunshine Ground's Care and Swiss Hills Landscaping has resulted in some dramatic improvements to all of our landscaped areas along the Settlers Grove entrance and the island on Master Court. This work has been long overdue and the Association Board is pleased that we have a chance to improve our surroundings this year.
We would appreciate that you keep children and pets off these landscaped areas. The grass areas have received new topsoil and they have been overseeded. Thanks.

Settler's Grove maintenance improvements-scheduled for Spring 2009
The board of directors (2008-2009) have been actively addressing all of the landscaping maintenance concerns and much needed repairs. Since, the association started in 1999, there has not been an overall rejuvenation of the area. We feel that this year one of the key objectives the board wants to under take is improve all of the groundcare including trees and shrubs. This undertaking takes much time and effort and due to dependancies that include timing of the project (seasons), and legal restrictions (pesticide use) we were unable to implement any changes during the summer months. We have been meeting with various lawn care companies, the City of Kitchener and local Arborists to discuss our concerns and acquire their recommendations. We are at a point now that we have a good understanding of what needs to be addressed and we have begun reviewing recommendations and estimates. We hope to begin proposed work improvements for the Spring of 2009.

Some of the current areas we are addressing include:

-trees and shrubs along Deer Ridge Drive berms that contain bug disease
-dying trees along sidewalk areas (owned by City of Kitchener)
-dead grass patches through entire areas of neighborhood including Deer Ridge Drive, Master Court and Pioneer Tower Drive
-pruning of all trees and shrubs along Deer Ridge Drive and Master Court
-reseeding of lawn areas on Master Court

We appreciate your patience on this matter.

* Installation of a Settler's Grove entrance rock has been proposed. Pioneer Tower Rd. members to collectivley agree and propose plans.

The garden surrounding the Settler's Grove entrance sign has been landscaped. Several members have suggested that the flowers and shrubs are overpowering the sign. The existing flowers have been moved into the entrance boulevards and new ground creeping flowers have been planted.
We have met with the city of Kitchener in regards to their responsibilities in the maintenance in our area.
Several areas were addressed including: Settler's Grove Park and entrances to the park, the walkways off Master Crt and between Deer Ridge and Winifred, the stretch of Pioneer Tower before the houses start, and the entrance to Settler's Grove on Deer Ridge.
The park and walkways that are City property are mowed and maintained on the standard City schedule of every 3 weeks.
The other areas that the Association currently contracts SunShine Grounds Care to maintain are explained on the landscaping page.