Holiday Creek Wetlands Project Nears Completion

The Holiday Acres Property Owners Assoc. has been doing a wetlands restoration project along Holiday Creek. They are not finished yet but the bulk of the work is accomplished.

Larry Dick sent a note about work recently done to seed the area with natural wetlands  plants.

Here are some pics of the seeding that was done with the aid of your good neighbor, Sylvan Salem, and Holiday Acres resident Ed Elliott.  Ed is a real hands on guy that used to have fruit orchards around Vero Beach florida, and loves getting out and helping.

 
Wayne Justus, who lives across the street, came out with his John Deere and he and I pulled hundreds of feet of old barbed wire and old fence posts  remaining from the cattle ranch days before the 650 acre parcel was subdivided in 1972 by Chuck and Phyllis Bogert.  We feel confident that we got all pieces that could snag critters running about, and it looks better too.
 
With the spoils areas spread, raked and seeded we only have two water retention structures to install and improvement of the final dam in the central pond area.  Now all we need is a return of moisture this winter to ensure good seed sprouting and growth.
 
The following is the first in a series of articles about the project.
 

Holiday Creek Wetlands Project

 

Don Jackson points to the several changes being made to the creek area. Don is president of the property owners association.

The growl of heavy machines along Holiday Creek is the start of the wetlands project. BK Jones Construction LLC is doing the work.

This is an improved pond. This is an entirely positive project that all Property Owner’s Asscoiations can and should do to improve their enviroment. 

 

The neighbors in Holiday Acres have come together on a project to improve the wetland environment along Holiday Creek. The property owners association worked diligently with state and local officials along with funding agencies. The ability for property owners associations to do this type work and receive grants is new, a recent result of law and regulation changes.

The area involved is 28.8 acres along Holiday Creek and includes construction of five ponds and dikes to hold and slow water run-off along with wetland improvement. Thistle and toxic plants will be controlled and compatible grasses, plants and bushes will be planted. This improves nesting and feed for birds and wildlife.

See this image in expanded format click here.

Graded level paths will be included for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Future plans include an outdoor pavilion, windmills, fountains and some illumination.

Grants were provided by USDA wetland equipment funds, National Birding Society funds, and Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory.

This is an exemplary project that other property owner associations should copy. It vastly improves the environment in neighborhoods and creates useful and enjoyable parks.