Walden Lake Community Association directors have directed its staff to research the possibility of installing a removable shade for the community’s playground to help keep the equipment cool in the summer months.
“Everything gets so hot; the kids can’t even get on the slides,” WLCA Director Jan Griffin said during the board’s June 16 meeting.
President Jim Chancey agreed.
“These little kids jump on the sliding board when the sun’s out … I’ve been down there before and have heard them yell,” he said.
Although permanent shade structures are cost-prohibitive, the WLCA asked On-site Manager Lee Weiss to investigate coverings that could be removed before strong storms — a feature that would be particularly important during hurricane season.
The WLCA also discussed possible solutions for un-permitted cars parking at the playground parking lot. The WLCA currently has an agreement with Brewington’s Towing Service to tow cars without the appropriate resident stickers. However, WLCA leaders say the rules — as well as potential costs of recovering a towed vehicle — need to be better communicated through signage at the playground.
LANDSCAPING
Griffin, head of the WLCA’s landscape committee, asked the board to consider planting annuals at all neighborhood entrances. Annuals, she said, would offer brighter, more inviting colors throughout the community — but at a cost.
Walden Lake used to plant annuals but changed when water restrictions were tightened. In 1999, the WLCA had a budget of $23,000 for annuals.
“If we want to do annuals, then we need to make sure we’ve got in the budget for next year,” Griffin said.
Griffin suggested the WLCA coordinate the effort with each individual neighborhood homeowners association.
“Maybe we can talk some of the neighborhoods into putting some skin in the game,” Griffin said. “It would be a joint venture, and maybe we can split some of those costs.”
Chancey said the addition certainly would add to Walden Lake’s appeal.
“Our community is aging, and we’re trying to find things to make it look appealing,” he said.
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
IN OTHER NEWS
• Work is nearly complete at the entrance to the Wedgewood neighborhood. The entrance has been pressure-washed, and all island trees were trimmed and sculpted. The final step is a new sign, which will cost $490.99.
• On-site Manager Lee Weiss met with Walden Lake’s security company, U.S. Security Associates, to begin researching a bid to install a new security camera system throughout the community.
• Crews trimmed back landscaping that was causing line-of-sight issues along Timberlane Drive.
• Crews also repaired poles at the playground that were damaged when a car hit them.
• The annual Walden Lake Back-to-School party will take place Aug. 5, at the Plant City Family YMCA.
• Dixon Fencing, the original company the WLCA hired to complete bridge repair work along the community’s trail, backed out of the job. The WLCA agreed to give the job to Twisted Timbers LLC, at a cost of $13,000.
