by the New Discovery Homeowners Association
The NDHA hopes that you had an enjoyable summer and had a chance to use our beautiful parks and pathways at some point during the warm months! In addition to the regular landscape maintenance we do, the NDHA also initiated some upgrades within the community for all to enjoy.
Projects 2020: During the summer we had all the wooden park benches re-stained. This fresh coat will help preserve them as long as possible and was definitely needed. We also installed graphic wraps on several of the bear proof trash bins this summer. This is an alternative to a fresh coat of paint and is more graffiti resistant.
Additionally, we had ULS do a complete assessment of the landscaping installations (foliage and hardscapes) within Discovery Ridge, and from that report, we have identified and prioritized areas for remediation projects over the next several years. Various smaller projects went ahead right away, including removal of a few dead trees and shrubs, shrub rejuvenation pruning, and installation of some new shrubs in a variety of locations.
Regarding “shrub rejuvenation pruning”, we have had a small number of concerns raised by residents suggesting that we have permanently damaged or killed the shrubs. Please be aware that after several years of growth, shrubs can begin to look misshapen, crowded, or look like they are dying because they have lots of older, unproductive wood (meaning that it does not flower or have a lot of leaves). At this point, thinning won’t do the job; it calls for more extreme measures. By cutting a shrub almost to the ground, you “reset the clock” – the result is a smaller, younger plant that usually flowers more profusely and can be thinned as necessary to keep it looking its best. We agree that these affected shrubs do look bad when they are hard pruned, but this is part of the process and within a year or two, the shrubs will look fabulous once again.
Turf Damage by Tires: The NDHA has received some complaints about tire damage to the turf in our greenspaces, especially adjacent to pathways and sidewalks. Upon investigation, we usually find that it is the result of City of Calgary trucks accessing this space for a variety of reasons; including emptying the park trash bins (this is no longer done by the NDHA). ULS rarely has the need to take anything other than its mowers into these areas, so please call 311 first if you notice the turf has been damaged so it can be repaired as quickly as possible.
Outstanding Fees: The 2020 NDHA fee of $307 was due on June 29th. We would like to thank our members who have paid their fee on time, and ask that those who have not, please remit immediately. If you are unsure of your payment status or have questions or concerns, you may contact the treasurer at [email protected]. Please reference your property address.
Can you Help? All of the above is managed by 10 member-volunteers who are also your neighbors in Discovery Ridge. They meet monthly and work diligently behind the scenes to ensure that things continue to run smoothly. Several of your 2019/20 NDHA board members will be retiring this year. In addition to a few new Directors at Large, we are looking for a someone with the skills to fill the positions of Treasurer, as well as Secretary. Please reach out by contacting [email protected] if you can join the team!
We are quite proud of how our community looks and hope you are as well. If you happen to notice an area that might need attention such a bed being missed or damage incurred due to storms or other factors, please let the NDHA know. We are always happy to hear from our members; please access our website at www.ndha.ca to send an email or call us at 403-237-9595.
