Meadowglen Homeowners Association

Proposed soft trail around the north and east sides of Pomona Lake​As previously reported, the City of Arvada Parks division has proposed installing a “soft” trail on the lake side of the concrete path. While this project is still on the roster, the parks crews are operating with skeleton crews as a precaution against the transmission of covid; therefore, projects are being delayed. We will keep you notified of updates. 

Slope improvements on the north slope of Pomona Lake​The City’s landscape architects continue to study the process for bank improvements. There are still feasibility and costs to understand and budget hurdles to contend with. The Beautification Committee and the BOD continue  to check in with the City to keep he project moving forward. If you have questions about the water level of Pomona Lake, the proposed soft trail or the north slope improvements, feel free to contact a BOD member or attend a board meeting via zoom.

The water level of Pomona Lake, which is primarily a storm water retention facility, was recently filled with runoff from Little Dry Creek to its maximum one-time annual fill level (for the November 1 through October 31 water year). What that means is that the valve allowing water from Little Dry Creek into Pomona Lake will only be opened again this year if precipitation and run off are so abundant that “free river” conditions exist (meaning there is no unsatisfied senior call on water downstream on Little Dry Creek or the South Platte) and additional diversions are allowed. It’s possible (remember September 2013), but considering that we may actually be facing a drought year, we can’t count on it. In past years, the water level was not monitored to make sure it was in compliance with the State’s water rights laws. Going forward, due to increased administrative scrutiny and tightening water budgets on the South Platte, it will be. We understand that low lake levels alarm our residents, but this is not something the BOD, nor the City of Arvada can dispute. Some HOA members have inquired about a method to augment the evaporative loss from the lake in the summer, which is allowed under state water law, but doing so would require both filing a water court case seeking authorization to do so and the ability to locate and purchase a fully-consumable water supply for the replacement. This process would cost tens of thousands of dollars; an amount not in the HOA budget.  

The City of Arvada Parks Maintenance crew has notified the Board that beginning Wednesday, Nov. 4 (weather permitting), the City’s contractor will be performing concrete replacement on the trail along the east side of Pomona Lake and down Little Dry Creek Trail east to Pomona Drive. During the concrete replacement project, Little Dry Creek Trail will be closed to all pedestrian/bicycle traffic from Pomona Drive to the concrete bridge located at Estes St, and the trail along the east and north sides of the lake all the way to the clubhouse will be closed. This closure includes the cut-throughs between the trails and 81st Drive. Pedestrian/bicycle traffic will be detoured on the south to the sidewalk on W. 80th Avenue and to the north on the sidewalk along W. 81st Drive. The attached map shows the open trails depicted in green and closed trail sections depicted in red. Signs will be posted in advance. Construction is anticipated to take up to one week (weather permitting). Please avoid the construction areas during the project and until signs/barriers have been removed.

Please also stay tuned for an exciting announcement regarding upcoming improvements to the Pomona Lake north shore over the winter and spring.

If you have questions/concerns, contact me at arifeldman@meadowglen-hoa.com.

Yesterday the Colorado Department of Health amended “Safer at Home�? Order which states, “no personal parties over 10 people from two different households�? (link to amended order). The amended order also dictates the capacity for outdoor events. Many counties (Adams and Larimer) have also reverted back to Safer at Home Level 3: High risk, but Jefferson county still has us listed at Level 2: Concern. Under Safer at Home Level 2, we are allowed outdoor parties up to 175 people. Should Jefferson County change to Level 3 today, we will have to keep our numbers at any given time to 75 people. The Board spoke this morning and decided to proceed with the Halloween party following these guidelines. If we do move to Level 3 today, we will be keeping an eye on the numbers at the party and may ask for some people to disperse after partaking in festivities. We look forward to seeing you all tonight and having a great outdoor, socially distanced, masked-up event!

In an effort to keep leaves out of the landfill and off of City streets where they can block storm drains, free residential leaf recycling will be available the first three Saturdays in November (Nov. 7, 14 and 21), from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following locations:

• Permagreen Organics (5520 Harlan St.)
• Stenger Soccer Complex (5675 Oak St., east entrance)

This event is for leaves only; no branches, woody brush or tree stumps will be accepted. No materials from commercial businesses, please. Due to COVID-19, leaves in plastic bags will need to be emptied by the resident. The City cannot offer assistance this year. For more information, visit arvada.org/leaf-recycling.

Until recently, short-term rentals (defined as anything less than 30 days) were not permitted in the City of Arvada. In August, Arvada City Council adopted a new ordinance that will make short-term rentals legal in the city (with certain restrictions, link to Arvada Press coverage). The ordinance will go into effect on October 31 2020.

That being said, it is important to remember that HOA covenants and rules can be more restrictive and supersede City code. Meadowglen Declarations Section 5.5 details the rental and leasing policies for our Association. Please be aware that Section 5.5a prohibits rentals of less than 6 months and Section 5.5e prohibits leasing the lot for hotel or transient purposes. Therefore, regardless of the City’s position on short-term rentals, Meadowglen covenants do not allow them. For more information, please contact Lewis at MSI or any board member.

Halloween is upon us and it’s time to have some fun! Meadowglen is having our annual event on October 24th. Like everything so far in 2020, there will be some changes to our annual event. We will be having a socially distanced, staggered gathering near the clubhouse parking lot . We will start at 4:00 pm for the younger kids (aged 0-5) and then welcome older kids beginning at 5:00 pm.

We will have treat and crafts bags for the age groups 0-5 and 6-18. There will be s’mores, a hallo-weeny roast for dinner, photo backdrop, flashlight tag and a costume contest with prizes. We will have fire pits to help warm us when the sun goes down. We do ask those coming to bring their own seating, face masks, and roasting sticks. We will have some sticks on hand, however, no shared seating will be provided.

Please use the sign-up genius to let us know if you plan on attending so we can more accurately prepare for this event. You can also use the sign-up genius to volunteer to help setup/cleanup and monitor the fire pits. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0545afad22a4fa7-meadowglen2

If you would like to help out with the party, want to share your ideas or join other social committee events – contact Linzi King @ linziking@meadowglen-hoa.com

This has been a tough year to say the least, and I’ve heard from so many that a walk around the Lake was the highlight of your day. There have also been comments about how the lake isn’t what it used to be and that it is lacking not only the trees, but the fish and wildlife that used to be so commonly found. Well, we are lucky here in Meadowglen because we have a young local activist who took things into his own hands to make a difference and improve the community. Earlier this year, Meadowglen teenager Timothy Marette contacted Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) for ideas to clean up the lake and improve the fishing at Pomona Lake (located in the middle of Meadowglen). After a few passionate and “determined�? emails, a CPW aquatics crew completed a fish survey. It turns out that the carp which had taken over the lake had degraded the water quality by rooting in the lake bottom for food and destroyed the habitat that the fish, waterfowl, and amphibians used to enjoy here in Meadowglen. It was determined that if CPW removed the carp from the lake, the water quality and habitat would eventually improve and more catchable fish along with other desirable animals would return. Over the Summer CPW began the carp removal along the shoreline of Pomona Lake. Besides removing well over 60 carp, they also caught and released two 5+ pound bass, and catchable crappie and bluegill. CPW is also due to come back sometime this Fall to finish the survey in the middle of Pomona Lake. Way to go Timothy! Thank you for making the lake better for all anglers, walkers, and Meadowglen residents.

– Brett Schumer

Fall is upon us and it’s time to have some fun. Meadowglen is planning on having our annual Halloween event on October 24th.  Like everything so far in 2020, there will be some changes to our annual event.  We will be having a socially distanced, staggered gathering near the clubhouse parking lot. We will start at 4:00 pm for the younger kids (aged 0-5) and then welcome older kids beginning at 5:00 pm.  A Sign up Genius and more information to follow.

We will have age appropriate treat bags and crafts. There will be hay rides, s’mores, and a costume contest with prizes.  We will have fire pits to help warm us when the sun goes down.
If you would like to help out with the party or other social committee events – contact Linzi King @ linziking@meadowglen-hoa.com

The Bicycle Recycle Program is a partnership between the City and the Golden/Arvada Lake Arbor Optimists. Bikes that are no longer used are collected, refurbished and then distributed to community members who cannot afford to buy one.

The 2020 Bike Recycle event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the City of Arvada Streets Maintenance Facility (6161 Olde Wadsworth Blvd.). For more information, visit arvada.org/bicycle-recycle-program.