ParkPoints News Page

This is where we'll announce the most recent additions to our web site. If you've visited us before and want to know what's changed, take a look here first.

The 9th annual University Park Holiday Dinner/Dance will be on Thursday, December 3rd.

U. S. Air Force Academy, the Falcon Club (formerly the Officer's club).
Enter only through the South Gate, and make sure that everybody has a picture ID (driver's license, etc)

Dress code: Your choice, Business Casual (no jeans) or Holiday Festive; just come and enjoy the fun, food, conversation, and dancing!

Menu choices:
Sliced Filet Mignon with Béarnaise Sauce ($35)
Sherry Chicken Fettuccini ($23)
Pasta Prim Vera (Vegetarian Plate) ($23)

New! You may get together with your University Park friends and neighbors and reserve a table for 8 to 10 people! Also, there will be a $100 door prize!

The 2009 HOA meeting is on Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Beth-El Mennonite Church, 4625 Ranch Drive. We will be electing two directors, who represent us and help decide what our HOA dues will be, fines, etc -- so it is important for you to be there. Every household gets a vote, and a voice! If you are curious what sorts of things are discussed at the monthly meetings, check out the meeting notes.

It is autumn, and the bears are eating as much as possible to get ready for winter. Here is a sobering reminder that the bears know where food is, and aren't afraid of approaching our houses:

Last night we were visited by a large bear. We live on Collegiate Dr. at 2143. We make it a point to bring in the bird seed containers we put out during the day before dark. Last night we overlooked a hummingbird feeder. The bear cleaned out the feeder and moved on. We need to do better.
Tom Ingram
388-2069

I have happily accepted the opportunity to sponsor the annual garage sale again this year. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again and meeting new neighbors. Last year we had over 35 families participate and most were sold out by noon!
I provide free advertising in the GAZETTE and will have signs and directional maps and directories of participating homes to hand out to the public the day of the sale. I can highlight special items that you have to sell and even highlight your business or special services if you like.
I will also award the best decorated lemonade/soda/cookie stand with a gift certificate to Target again this year.

TO PARTICIPATE: Contact Jan Cass at jancass1@comcast.net. The deadline for participation is September 8th. In your email to me, please include your name, address, phone, email and any items that you want mentioned in the directory. If your children want to set up a cookie/lemonade/soda stand, please indicate in your email.

***I NEED AT LEAST 5 VOLUNTEERS*** to help pass out directories and maps and help set up signs the day of the event. Please indicate if you or your older children are willing to help with that

For questions or comments or suggestions, please call me at 648-5554 cell or my home 531-5270

Thanks and I look forward to a beautiful sunny day in September for the event
Jan Cass 1760 Colgate Drive
ReMax Properties, Inc
648-5554 cell

2009 University Park Annual Picnic!
Sunday, August 2 from 1 to 4pm. Hidden Canyon park (at the Collegiate and Seton Hall)
A meat entree and drinks will be provided; please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
There will be games for the children and cotton candy & sno-cones.
If you plan on attending, please contact aprilbalto@aol.com or contact Jeni Howard
at 651-0333 or 598-7527.

Saturday, June 6 will be the Annual Neighborhood Cleanup and Volunteer Lunch.
It starts at 9:00 at Houck Park picnic pavilion (corner of Collegiate & Rockhurst); around 9:30 to 11:30 volunteers will clean up the common areas in University Park. 11:30 to 12:30 will be a lunch; bring a char for the lunch, and gloves to protect your hands as you clean up.
Questions? Call Dave BmGrath @ 592-1419 or email at dmcgrath4835@comcast.net

University Park now has the opportunity to participate in the free "Chip & Haul Away" program from Colorado Springs Fire Department! Please visit the "2009 Firewise Cleanup" web page for details. Last day to sign up is March 31st!

Friday evening, December 19
Social Hour: 6pm (Cash Bar)
Dinner: 7pm
Dancing: 8-10 pm
At the U.S. Air Force Academy, Falcon Club (formerly the Officer's Club)

Menu choices:
Sliced Filet Mignon with Bearnaise Sauce: $33
Baked Filet of Salmon with Dill Sauce: $32
Vegetarian Plate (Pasta Prima Vera): $21

Deadline for Reservations and Payment: December 12!
Make a check payable to Elaine Fox; indicate your choice of dinner(s) on the check!

RSVP and mail payment to April Skalski, 1490 Rockhurst Blvd, 80918
AprilBalto@aol.com, 528-5540

Important: Enter through the south gate ONLY; make sure that April has everyone's full name as it appears on a picture ID (driver's license, military ID, etc) -- have that ID available when you enter through the south gate!

Our Adopt-A-Park Program is off and running!
Every week we have a team of two canvass the park for trash and to notify the committee of anything that needs to be brought to the attention of Park and Rec.

Our weekly reports have been "All's Well!" except for an incident that occurred the end of August. The park was vandalized on a Saturday night. The picnic tables were removed from the pavilion (they are very heavy) and the concrete floor and ceiling were spray painted. The children's play equipment was spray painted also. The police were called along with Park and Rec. Park and Rec. responded the next day for repairs and a job well done by them.

We would ask everyone to please keep an eye out for anything that seems out of the ordinary whether it be in the park or our neighborhood streets. Please report anything unusual to the police.

Bear alert! There have been at least 4 sightings of bears in the University Park neighborhood. Keep your cats and dogs inside until the bears are hibernating, and you might consider not putting out your bird feeders (so the bears don't associate your house with food)

The annual meeting of the University Park Homeowners Association will be held on Thursday, November 13 at 6:30. It will be at the Beth-El Mennonite Church at 4625 Ranch Drive (across Union from Collegiate Drive). At that time there will be an election to fill two positions on the Board of Directors; anywone who is a member of the Association, and is interested in running for a position on the Board, can obtain an application and copy of the Directors' duties by clicking here. Applications need to be returned to Z&R Property Management, 6015 Lehmen Drive, Suite 205, 80918, by October 6.
See you all there!

The annual Neighborhood Picnic will be held on Sunday, July 27th at the Hidden Canyon Park (corner of Collegiate and Seton Hall), from 1 to 4 pm. Please let Jeni Howard (598-7527) or April Skalksi (aprilbalto@aol.com) know if you intend to attend, and how many people will be coming, so that there is enough BBQ on hand to feed you. BBQ and drinks will be provided, but please bring a side disk or dessert to share, and a chair or blanket to sit on.

Bear sightings continue in the neighborhood -- but, so far, only Leigh got a picture of a bear:
A bear has been spotted on Seton Hall 3 times in the last week ( June 18th - June 23rd) He was seen twice in backyards at hummingbird feeders and once crossing Seton Hall near the park down the ridge over toward Collegate -- Leigh Butler

The organizers of the 2008 Annual Community Clean-Up Day would like to extend a big THANK YOU to all the volunteers who turned out for the event. Because of you the clean up was a huge success. Check out pictures of the fun event here.

The annual Neighborhood Clean Up and Volunteer Lunch will be Saturday, June 7 this year. Meet at the Houck Park Picnic Pavilion (at the north east corner of Rockhurst & Collegiate) between 9:00 and 9:30 AM; we will break up into groups, then meet back at the pavilion for lunch at 11:30. Lunch will be provided. Bring a chair for lunch, as well as gloves and rakes/etc. Any questions? Contact Dave McGrath at 592-1419 or email at dmcgrath4835@comcast.net

If you live in University Park, chances are pretty good that your lot has a wildfire risk somewhere between "moderate" and "extreme" (I estimate about 30% of the homes in University Park are Very High or Extreme). As part of your Spring Cleanup, you might want to consider doing some risk mitigation. Click here to see an overview of the risk in our neighborhood; better yet, see the Colorado Springs FireWise website to zoom into a view of your lot's risk (see "What Is My Wildfire Hazard Rating"" button on the left of that web page), and some great ides on what you can do to reduce the risk of a wildfire affecting your house (see "Improve Your Hazard Rating").

Doug Bognar, a Director at Large, has recently resigned his position. We need somebody to fill in for the remainder of his term (which ends in 2009). If you can help us by serving in this way, please fill out this form and send it to Z&R at 6015 Lehman Drive, Suite 205, 80918 by January 31. Thanks!

New Information, Updates, Changes