Neighbors join to spruce up common areas

What started as a project to enhance the entrance and streetscape of Canoa Estates II has taken seed and grown into a beautification committee of nine in the 124-home community.

Homeowner Bob Campbell, co-chair of the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council’s Environmental Committee, was the idea man.

“I thought we should do something positive to enhance the area in Canoa Estates II. Our CC&R’s say you can’t block a view but palms trees are grandfathered in.

“The view is paramount here,” Campbell said.

Explaining his ideas to beautify the entrance and Via de la Gloria, the main road in the community, Campbell approached neighbors Mary Rasmussen and Don Cummins.

“Mary knows desert plants well. Don is the technician guy — or water man,” he said.

With three initial goals — to enhance the front entrance, Via de la Gloria and focus on Christmas d/cor at the entrance — the threesome spoke to the association about their landscaping vision and got going.

Campbell said there was no opposition.

“Everything was paid for by the association and there was no increase in dues,” he said.

Rasmussen said the current committee of nine has planted more than 100 trees and shrubs, moved lots of cactus and put in bear grass.

“We wanted trees under 15 feet, have no thorns, require low water, are wispy and attract birds and butterflies.”

Like many residents new to Green Valley, Rasmussen said she did a lot of research and got to know desert plants.

Others on board

Canoa Estates II isn’t the only HOA making their neighborhood more attractive.

Rasmussen commented on a successful renovation of a median strip in Desert Hills IV overseen by Phyllis Buchanan.

Environmental Committee co-chair Gary Sullivan praised the Canoa Ranch Northwest HOA on their recent “de-grassing” project at the Calle Tres entrance.

Now focusing on redoing more of the common areas within Canoa Estates II, Campbell spoke about the small challenges in getting the beautification to be a successful endeavor.

“Challenges? Getting people to support a positive program and getting residents to support watering until the roots took hold.”

As homeowners stepped up to the plate, Campbell spoke of the rewards.

“By taking pride, each homeowner now has an enhanced desert common area, and the entrance and Via de la Gloria look so much better. People may want to buy into Canoa Estates II... and we may have increased our property values.”

Having formed a Beautification Committee within GVCCC’s Environmental Committee because of this successful undertaking, Campbell would like to see the Canoa Estates II HOA adopt a median in the Median Green program and do something positive for Green Valley.

Looking back and also looking ahead, Cummins said after the decisions, approvals, purchase of plants, planting and watering the work isn’t done.

“It takes ongoing maintenance to keep everything looking good.” he said.

“This was Bob’s vision.”

Contact Green Valley freelance reporter Ellen Sussman at ellen2414@cox.net.

Interested?

Any HOA interested in improving landscaping or adopting a median in Green Valley’s “Median Green” project may call Bob Campbell at 625-2898. He is available to talk to HOAs.

As HOAs may be eligible for landscaping grants, anyone with grant-writing experience and expertise is asked to call Karen or Susan at the GVCCC office, 648-1936.