The News in Hidden Springs #168
ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT Saturday 4/8
The Association will host the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday 4/8. Based on feed-back from families the last couple of years, families enjoy being able to “hunt” together versus kids being separated by age group. So, again this year there will be three hunts, 11:00am, 12:00pm and 1:00pm. Please drop off 12 plastic treat filled eggs for each child participating at the Hidden Springs Town Office by Noon on Friday, 4/7. Items hidden in eggs must be wrapped and appropriate for all ages. Residents may select a time slot and will receive wristbands at drop-off. We still need volunteers to help the day of the event! Volunteers are needed to hide eggs, oversee the selfie booth and obstacle course as well as play the part of the Easter Bunny. Unfortunately, if we do not get enough volunteers signed up by noon on 4/5, some or all of these activities will have to be cancelled. Please call 208-229-2324 or email atm@hiddensprings.com if you can volunteer.
HOME IMPROVEMENTS & TOWN DESIGN REVIEW DATES Tuesday 4/11
Reminder, ALL proposed exterior improvements (new or changes to existing) to home and landscaping must be reviewed and approved by the Town Design Review Board per the governing documents, Residential Design Guidelines, Section 5.0 and Master Declaration of Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions 6.1 and 10.47. It is much easier to get approval prior than make costly changes. Examples of improvements include (but are not limited to) the following: Exterior remodels, landscape remodels, removal of trees, installation of trees, front and back yard hardscape, flagpoles, pools, sheds, concrete patios, covered patios, pergolas, spas, play structures, pet enclosures, sunrooms, fences, green houses, garden boxes, fences, fire pits etc. The Town Design Review Board meets monthly with the next meetings scheduled for and 4/11 and 5/16. Review dates, checklist and submittal forms can be found on the community website and/or emailed upon request. There is still an opening on the Town Design Review Board for a Landscape Architect. If interested, please contact the Town Manager (hsta@hiddensprings.com).
APRIL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday 4/18
The next Town Council meeting is Tuesday, 4/18 at 7:00pm. Attend in person (location TBA) or online via ZOOM. Approved and signed meeting minutes are available on the community website.
GIVE A PINT OF BLOOD Thursday 5/4
Valley Pies of Hidden Springs is sponsoring a Blood Drive on Thursday, 5/4 from 12:00 to 5:00 pm at the Community Club House, 5525 W. Hidden Springs Dr. Please sign up at https://www.redcrossblood.org/ (code: HiddenSprings) and help us support this great cause.
SPRING TRAIL USE & WILDLIFE REMINDERS
Wet weather conditions often mean muddy trails! We encourage residents to make responsible decisions when hiking and biking community trails. It is very easy to find yourself on trails that you shouldn’t be on during the winter. If you are leaving tracks, walking off-trail to avoid mud or finding a lot of “trail” stuck to your shoes, boots or tires, it is too muddy. Please, turn around to save trails from damage, erosion and countless volunteer hours in repair. Current trail conditions are available daily at www.ridgetorivers.org.
There are natural predators in the foothills, hawks, large owls, badgers, coyotes, cougars and bears. A reminder from Idaho Fish & Game, coyotes are mating now and will give birth in March into late April. Now through late June, coyotes may become much more territorial particularly when pups are vulnerable and dependent on them. If you see a coyote during this time frame, the den could be nearby and consider exercising a little more caution. If a coyote shows hostility, like standing its ground with aggressive vocalizations if you try to scare it off at close range, following humans at close range, or charging at humans and/or domestic dogs, please contact IDF&G (208-465 8465). Other helpful tips regarding predators,
- Don’t feed wildlife, including deer, raccoons or other small animals.
- Feed your pets indoors if possible. Pet food left outdoors may attract wildlife.
- Manage garbage to avoid attracting wildlife. Don’t leave garbage out at night, use cans with tight fitting lids.
- Avoid overgrown landscaping which provides hiding places.
- Close off spaces beneath decks, porches, or sheds that can be used by prey species.
- Keep outdoor animals in a secure pen that includes a wire roof.
- Keep small pets indoors, especially from dawn to dusk.
- Supervise children when they are outdoors.
We can all help protect our native wildlife by paying attention to our pets. Dogs or cats are NOT allowed in either of the wetlands or along the Dry Creek trails from March 1st to June 1st. This necessary restriction helps protect the nesting birds and smaller animals that call these areas home. Wildlife is a wonderful amenity to the community and will only remain as long as we put forth the effort to keep them protected.
SPRING COMMUNITY REMINDERS
Our governing documents benefit the entire community as they help to maintain our property values as well as protect the aesthetics of the neighborhood. We try to encourage homeowners to follow the rules that they have invested into, through education and friendly reminders. Our hope is that homeowners abide by the governing documents, without having to resort to the dreaded violation letter.
- It’s important in the spring to do our best not to track mud into the Fitness Center. It is costly to replace belts and other components damaged by mud. Please bring an extra pair of work out sneakers in case you forget your “inside shoes” there is a shoe scraper at the front door of the Clubhouse. Thank you for helping us keep costs down and the fitness center and equipment in optimal working condition.
- Trash bins must be stored out of sight or properly screened with approved screening methods, and there are no exceptions for bins placed in alleys, Residential Design Guidelines 2.15 and CC&R Section 6.5).
- Spring is a good time for a little fence and yard maintenance. Please take a moment to inspect your fence to assess any needed repairs and/or staining. Please refer to the fencing requirements in the Residential Design Guidelines Section 2.13, Appendix G-1-G3 and stain addendum for details.
- Do you have trees or shrubs that are blocking street signs or lights? Low tree limbs should be cut off to provide a minimum of 14’ of clearance on the street side and 10’ of clearance above the sidewalk. Also, for alley load homes, check for tree/shrub clearance for vehicles and service trucks.
- Remove and replace any dead trees and/or shrubs per CC&R Section 6.3 and 6.4.
- Water, weed and maintain your front, back and side yards. Remove weeds from the sidewalk, curb and gutter adjacent to your property (includes alley load homes), CC&R Section 6.3 and 6.4 page 36-37.
- Do not dispose of grass clippings, branches, compost or any debris onto ANY part of Hidden Springs’ property (which includes over your fence and Open Space), CC&R Section 6.5.
- Boats, RVs, campers, and trailers may be parked on streets for short-term loading, unloading, and cleaning (72hrs), per the Residential Design Guidelines 2.11 and CC&R Section 6.9.
- Pet(s) (dogs, cats, chickens) are not to roam freely off of your lot, remember to contain them, leash them, clean up their poop and properly dispose of the bagged feces! This includes the agricultural and farm fields, access roads and around the community farm. Pet waste contains parasites that neighbors prefer not to have with their organically grown veggies, CC&R Section 6.10.
MAIL ROOM REMINDERS
USPS is typically on-site (in the mail room) delivering mail and packages Monday-Saturday 10:00am to 3:00pm. Package Alert slips are left in mailboxes if 1) there are no parcel lockers available or 2) the parcel is over-sized and too large for a locker. Residents are notified with a Package Alert slip if there is a parcel or letter that needs attention. If the postal carrier is in the backroom, just bring the notice to his/her attention. USPS only holds mail and/or packages on-site for 10 days. This is a standard USPS practice. If it is not picked up, it is returned to the shipper. Residents can call the Garden City Post Office (208-323-8271) to request package(s) or letter(s) be returned or held at the Post Office for pick up Monday-Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm.
Working on your behalf, The Hidden Springs Town Association Town Council and Staff