To provide information and guidance related to the Association's Landscaping and Grounds programs.
The Landscape and Grounds program involves both common area and resident maintenance and repair for: 1) lawns, 2) shrubbery, small trees (<4” diameter) and plantings, 3) sprinkler watering, 4) large trees (>4” diameter), and community entrances.
As required by the By Laws, the Forest Hills Community Association will provide landscaping and grounds maintenance services to the Common Areas, and contingent on resident’s agreement, private areas. It is the intent of the association that those services will be provided to ensure, in priority: 1) safety, 2) compliance with law and regulation, 3) plant health, and 4) community appearance.
The scope of the Association's responsibility for Landscaping and Grounds has expanded over the years to service for both common area and individual properties. At the same time homeowners have been encouraged to take the initiative to beautify and maintain their own property and, with the approval of the Association, expand their efforts into the common areas. In order to determine precisely the delineation between common and private properties, it is necessary to refer to the individual property plat, or House Location Survey. This survey is a part of the property documents which accompany a sale or refinance transaction. Private property boundaries are clearly defined on the individual plat: all other property indicated on the plat and within the Forest Hills property boundaries is Common Area. Arlington County has an easement for streets and sidewalks and is responsible for their maintenance and repair. If a Homeowner has questions about whether a given tree or plot of ground is on common or private property, the Homeowner should provide a copy of the Plat to the ACC, so that the question may be clarified.
The Landscape and Grounds programs serve to accomplish the following: community aesthetics, and maintenance of property values. Landscape and Grounds programs are continuous, not one-time activities. The Committee Chairs of Landscaping and Grounds, Tree Maintenance, and Sprinkler System develop contract specifications for contracts supporting their responsibilities. These documents define the requirements from which the near-term and mid-term planning is developed in support of annual budgets.
Homeowners may, and are encouraged to:
The scope, rights, and responsibilities of each program (Landscaping and Grounds, Tree Maintenance, and Sprinkler System) are as follows:
The Landscape program has been in operating since the Association was established and utilizes a professional grounds maintenance contractor to provide the services required by the Association. At a minimum, and in accordance with the currently approved specifications, the Landscape Program will provide:
The Tree Maintenance program was initiated in 1997 and utilizes a professional tree maintenance contractor with its certified arborist to provide the services required by the Association. There are approximately 550 trees that are managed as part of this program. In company with the tree service contractor the Committee conducts a quarterly inspection of trees in both common and personal properties using a detailed tree inventory. The inspections result in a task listing, by tree, for the quarterly maintenance. Trees in individual properties are incorporated in the work list unless the homeowner opts-out of the program. Within budgetary limitations, the program will provide:
The Sprinkler System program utilizes a professional irrigation maintenance contractor to provide the services required by the Association. The program provides for maintenance, repair, and replacement, when necessary, of the sprinkler system in common areas only.
Questions?
Over many years Forest Hills has invested significant resources to manage stormwater runoff. This includes drains, underground conduits, surface channels and landscape swales.
The goal has been to intercept water flows and direct the water into appropriate channels both on the surface and underground. Water falling on paved surfaces and residence roofs goes into gutters that either lead directly to an HOA underground conduit system (from roof gutters) or on streets into gutters, then to the Arlington County Stormwater system. Water falling on sodded surfaces is slowed and absorbed by healthy sod. Where grass-only methods are insufficient, landscape shaping and selective planting of Liriope (or other durable plants) is used.
The accompanying map locates where the drains are by type.
However, we need residents to help by either clearing minor debris from drains or letting any member of the Landscaping & Grounds Committee if they observe drains filled with silt or debris, or otherwise not functioning properly. The 1-foot square or round drains are particularly vulnerable to being clogged with leaves and other debris.
No drains should be used to dispose of any household liquids nor be used for trash or leaves.
Forest Hills HOA Management is 100% volunteer operated.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.