Although there aren't many organized neighborhood activities in Park Place and Park Terrace, there are some worth noting. If you have a neighborhood group of which we are unaware, let us know and we will list it here.
There is normally a neighborhood yard sale the 1st Saturday of June and the last Saturday of September. Unfortunately here hasn't been large participation in it lately, so it is currently under advisement by the board whether to continue.
Coeur d'Alene Neighborhood Watch Program
Why Neighborhood Watch?
Because safe neighborhoods are everybody's business.
"Neighbors working together to prevent crime" is the goal of the Coeur d'Alene Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Program. So what do you think? Are we asking too much? Is this an unrealistic expectation? Can ordinary citizens really have an impact on crime prevention? Can we really form a partnership to solve crime problems? Isn't crime prevention the police department's job? We need each other to make a neighborhood safe. We can form a partnership and reduce crime opportunities. Together, we can all make a difference.
The police can't be everywhere at all times, but the people who live in the neighborhoods can and are there all the time. We are talking about a proactive police partnership plan...preventing crime before it occurs. Every citizen, if properly informed, and made aware of some of the causes of crime is in the perfect position to prevent crime. Every citizen has a duty and responsibility to his or her neighbor to help. After all, the ones who benefit the most are you, your family, your home and property, your neighbors and your entire neighborhood. The simple fact remains...NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH WORKS. It does what it is supposed to do, and that is to prevent and deter crime.
Unfortunately our neighborhood doesn't currently participate in Coeur d'Alene's Neighborhood Watch Program. This requires someone who will take the time to oversee the process of becoming a part of this program and learning how it works. If that person is you, PLEASE contact the board and become involved. board@cdaparkproperties.org. If you prefer, you can even contact the city directly for information at Neighborhood Watch Program.
Neighborhood Gardening Tips
by Don Haus, former PPHA Gardening Committee Chair
(written a number of years ago but still relevant)
I noticed recently that out of seven houses lining one side of Isabella Drive, there have been fourteen different owners over the years. Only one home has been owned by the original family. With this in mind, we see people come and go, they lived there and they usually made changes and improvements, and moved on.
With spring and summer seasons approaching, you will have ideas and begin planning for things you envision and want to do. The question is, will you get what you wanted? Many such project choices scattered among our streets have sometimes been poorly done. It’s a good time to reflect on basic components of what we try to do to make our homes attractive and livable.
Your home as viewed from the street will seem most attractive and beautiful during the spring and summer seasons, with spring and fall seasons the most promising to the realtor for a potential sale. Your home may not be for sale, but wouldn’t it be nice to know what you do now has that ‘curb appeal’ if you chose to sell in the future.
For planning; a good place to start is to sit down and ask yourself what is the nature of my basic lot? Here’s what I mean: Your front swales, if you have them, collect water to help feed the drains in the street. Don’t obstruct this feature. Trees planted in swales or other parts of the yard are nice when young but can be a problem when older. Weather and sun direction will affect what you plant and where you plant. Plants grow and get bigger and deflect water from the sprinklers like mine did and in two years rotted a part of my deck. Look at your sprinkler system and realize what was good for the first 6-7 years may require you to change your watering pattern or scheduling.
While we hear much today about the greening of the planet, just keeping up with our own small property is job enough! Your home is more than an equity cash-cow, and while it is nice to have that for later choices, you want to enjoy the times while you are living here, so plan your way as you go. If you notice a problem that could reflect on your property as well your neighbors, you might have a talk with that neighbor and resolve the issue together.
Basic information about gardening and yard care are usually the general fare of articles that you see written in our local newspapers at this time of year. It’s difficult to relate to some of these things, e.g. trees and care as there are too many ways to discuss the problems. Here I am noting a few areas of interest and some solutions:
- Trees: some great ones are Paul Scarlet Hawthorn; Yoshino Cherry, Thundercloud fruitless Plum, Golden Chain and Golden Rain, Dogwoods etc. and yet, each one of these few trees I mention are only best if they do indeed best suit, your design; light source, shade, soil, physical space, etc. We have three professional tree nurseries in the Coeur d’Alene area; they offer advice and good service.
- Soils and lawns: generally need little care, but as I mentioned before, clay and sand are much of Kootenai County soils. There are many fertilizer choices for the garden. Your soil can be tested using kits obtained at local garden centers.
- General service and care of other yard items might include spraying. I spray my own fruit trees with oil spray in June and have a tree service do the rest. As time passes, trees are harder to care for due to seasonal weather damage, pruning and pest damage. Local tree professionals will give you advice and free estimates to correct problems, and might solve both your problem and a neighbor if you order work done at the same time!
- Sprinkler repairs can be expensive! I found that if you are willing to dig in and do the work, local garden centers have the info, diagrams, and cheaper parts that enable you to make your own repairs.
You have all sorts of places to go for information: Nickels Worth weekly free paper; Tree Service professionals; garden shows; County Office for agriculture questions; Plant /tree nurseries; Farm stores and Co-ops; plus your own neighbors sharing ideas, problems and solutions.
Larger projects relating to your home, (e.g. additions, outbuilding, etc.) require you to see that codes are approved by the city and our PPHA BOARD. NOTE: City approval alone does not qualify your project. You need approval from the Board before starting work. The PPHA Board has the legal authority to stop your project!
There you have it; some thoughts on the process for developing your property, the fast way can sometimes be the expensive way considering all changes down the line. Whether it is to be a new patio, shed or something larger like a pool or addition to the house, get your plan. Remember even if it’s a positive pay-as-you go project. Plan it. It may take a bit longer, but your patience now will put a plus into life later.