Victor Gardens' Pool is Now Open

Have a fun and safe pool season! 

A note about entering the facility:

Each home/unit owner was issued one electronic key fob to provide access to the pool and Neighborhood Activity Center. Each of those key fobs are unique. The electronic code it contains is identified with your specific home/unit.  A secure, electronic log is updated every time your key fob is swiped. All access to the Activity Center and Pool is video recorded.

Don't fall for the old line, "I left my key at home. Can you let me in?"

The Master Board may suspend or revoke your privileges:

• If your home/unit has an outstanding dues account.
• If you, your family members or guests allow access to anyone other than your family and up to 4 guests.
• If your key fob is loaned to others.
• If you, your family members or guests don’t follow the rules.

Neighborhood Activity Center & Pool Rules – Updated 2012

Remember a few basic rules for everyone's safety and fun:

1. THERE IS NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY, SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK.
2. The swimming pool and water park are for the exclusive use of the members of Victor Gardens Community Association and their guests. The maximum number of guests per household is four.
3. The Victor Gardens Community Association, its officers, directors and agents assume no responsibility for injuries.
4. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.
5. People who cannot swim must wear lifejackets while in the pool.
6. Diving, running, wrestling, horseplay and throwing objects are absolutely prohibited.
7. Showers are required before entering the pool.
8. Persons who have infections or communicable diseases must not enter the pool.
9. Infants and toddlers who are not toilet trained must wear swim diapers.
10. Smoking is not allowed in or around the pool area along with the Activity Center.
11. No Food or Glass bottles are allowed in the pool area.
12. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the pool area.
13. Drunkenness is not allowed and any intoxicated individuals will be asked to leave the pool area.
14. In order to keep the pool area pleasant for everyone, radios, tape players, CD players and other audio devices must be played only with earphones. Loudspeakers are prohibited.
15. Pets are not allowed in the pool area.
16. Pool hours are 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. (during pool season) Lap Swim: 6:00 am to 10:00 am, Open Swim: 10:00 am to 9:00pm
17. All pool toys must be removed from the pool each night; toys left in the pool will damage the pool’s mechanical system. (No Inflatable flotation devices are allowed in the pool except water wings, life jackets or infant/small children flotation seats.)
18. All access to the pool area must be through the Activity Center. The gate is to be used for emergency purposes only.
19. Spitting, spouting water from the mouth, and blowing noses in the pool are prohibited.
20. The Victor Gardens Community Association Board of Directors reserves the right to revoke anyone’s pool privileges for not following these pool rules.
21. The Victor Gardens Community Association Board of Directors may amend these pool rules at any time, without notice. You can contact Community Development for the most current and up-to-date rules.

To report unauthorized pool access, dangerous situations or vandalism, contact the Washington County Sheriff.

• Emergency: Dial 911
• Non-Emergency: Dial (651) 439-9381

Key fob and facility access questions should be directed to VG's Community Manager, Kari Miller at (763) 225-6424 or kmiller@developcommunity.com

Potluck Grill Out & Movie Night set for Friday, June 1

Friday, June 1 - Val Jean Park - 5:30pm

The grill will be ready around 5:30pm.  Bring your own meat to grill and a dish to share.  Plates, forks & napkins provided. Meet some new neighbors and enjoy some good food!

Stay for Movie Night - 7:30pm  

The Muppets.  Rated PG.

Popcorb, snacks and lemonade will be provided.  Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and bug spray!

In case of bad weather, check victorgardensnews.org the day of the event for a rain plan, if needed.

Long Term Planning and Landscape Committee Forming - Please attend Master Meeting June 5

Thanks to Dawn LaFontsee, we're aware of a few more residents who are interested in serving their communities on Victor Gardens Long Term Planning and Landscape Committees.  We ask that these volunteers and any other interested residents please attend the next Master Board/Annual Meeting on June 5, 2012 at City Hall. The meeting begins at 6:00pm, and discussion of these subjects will likely appear on the second half of the agenda.

Pioneer Press front page features Josh Berger, and The Nest

Sunday morning's Pioneer Press has in interesting article about neighborhoods left by developers as the housing industry declined. It describes the residents who worked and invested in their communities to help turn a difficult situation around. The story features Victor Gardens resident, Josh Berger, who's designed a new model home for his company, "The Nest".  Josh worked with architects and Hugo builder, Jason Hohn to create the new home.

Check out the links below:

• When housing went bust, some neighbors built. By Bob Shaw, Pioneer Press. Photos by Jean Pieri.
• The Nest

Available Lots

With the weather warming up, more people are out looking at lots and considering building within our neighborhood.  A number of great lots are now available through:

The Nest

(651) 644-2195

email: hello@thenestcommunity.com

thenestvictorgardens.com

- and - 

Terry Forbord

Forbord Land Company LLC

(612) 868-2483

email: tforbord@forbordusa.com

CORRECTION: Upcoming Master Association Meetings Set for June 5 at Hugo City Hall

The next Annual Meeting of Victor Gardens Community Association (The Master Assn.) will be held on June 5, 2012 at 6:00 pm at Hugo City Hall, 14669 Fitzgerald Ave. N., Hugo, MN.  Another Board meeting will follow at 7:30 pm.

Summer Events Planning

Meeting to plan summer events!  Social committee will meet at 8pm on Th, May 24th at the activity center.  We need to plan Night to Unite (National Night Out).  There was also several people who indicated on the survey that they were interested in new events... please come and we can get them onto the calendar/ into the budget!

If you have ideas to improve Night to Unite please come to the meeting!  If you cannot attend but have something to share, please e-mail Lisa at john3995@umn.edu.

Once the event is planned, we'll send out a volunteer signup sheet... it is a HUGE event and we need lots of people to give 30 minutes of their night!

Clearwater Creek Bridge Improved by Volunteers

Most of Val Jean Park's surviving plants were carefully removed during Saturday's renovation project then moved to the small trail foot bridge that crosses Clearwater Creek near Flora Green and Grantaire Green.  Thanks to Doug K. and Rob W. for moving them.  Phil & Dawn P. and Dawn L. installed the plants there near the bridge.  This location should be ideal for the plants they installed.

Thanks again to those volunteers who continue to improve our neighborhood.

Jardin Fountain Started

The Jardin Fountain is up and running for the season.  Gloria, Terri and Jeremy have volunteered to keep a close eye on the condition of the fountain and its water this summer.  If you notice anything amiss, please contact our Community Manager, Kari Miller to report the problem.

Also, please ask your children and other peoples children (if you see them) to not throw stones, wood chips, etc. into the fountain.  It was only running a few days and residents already reported kid-related problems. 

Let's try to keep this unique amenity looking good and maintenance costs low.

Thanks!

Volunteers Improved Val Jean Park

We enjoyed the great weather and working together last Saturday, renovating Val Jean park's picnic structure's landscape.    Although I didn't have an exact count, I'd estimate we had about 12-15 adult volunteers and many, many kid helpers.

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard!  Thanks also to Doug and Melissa Klamerus for donating the really nice flagstone pieces near the grill.

Regards,

Mark

Val Jean Park Planting Event - Tomorrow 9AM

It's not to late to join your neighbors Saturday morning as we renovate the landscape surrounding Val Jean Park's picnic structure.  Goetz Landscape has delivered the soil, mulch, and plants to my house. 

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Meet at Val Jean Park

9 am

rain or shine

Please bring with you a few planting tools for you to use or share (gloves, shovels, trowels, rakes, and a bottle of water).

Hope to see you there!

- Mark

Lawn Mower Sharpening, Tune-Ups, and Small Engine Repairs

Bud Schneider is offering affordably priced small-engine repairs for VG residents (lawnmowers, gas trimmers, etc.).  Bud's been working in the neighborhood for a number of years, most recently doing de-thatching and raking services for residents this spring.  If your mower needs a tune-up or its blades sharpened, etc. - Bud's a good guy to call.

For more info, Contact Bud Schneider at (651) 429-6896. 

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