Board Update: 2020 neighborhood highlights, walkers share top tips, poll results on 82nd Street landscaping

2020 WASN’T ALL BAD. HERE’S WHY …

At the risk of stating the obvious, 2020 was an ugly year like no other. The deadly pandemic, economic uncertainty and political divisiveness were among the daily headlines few could ignore. It was challenging and scary, to be sure, and your Board of Directors hopes everyone remained safe and healthy through it all.

Like you, we’re ready for better days ahead, to build on our successes as a neighborhood community. And yes, there were plenty in 2020, thanks to the support of our residents and the commitment of our staff and Board. Among the memorable highlights:

• The pool: Our facility was open for the entire season, despite stringent health department monitoring and capacity limits due to COVID-19. That was a major win for residents, considering most city pools remained closed for the year (including nearby Sahm Park), despite having more resources.
• Swim lessons: We had two dozen little Eagle Nesters sign up for free instruction, a valuable life skill provided by our talented life guard staff. We look forward to offering classes again this year (only five months away!).
• The Clubhouse: A third-party firm conducted a thorough engineering inspection of the deck and recommended preventative maintenance measures, including structural reinforcement and installation of all-weather composite decking – the first major repairs in more than a decade.
• Neighborhood pride: We had record-setting participation – 160+ decorated homes – in our annual Holiday Lights Contest. Literally dozens of homes could have won our annual Curb Appeal Awards. And we had plenty of thoughtful, heartfelt submissions for our Why I Live In Eagle Nest Essay Contest. Talk about neighborhood pride!
• Home improvements: Nearly 50 homeowners – double last year’s total – submitted plans for various exterior improvement projects, ranging from fences, sheds and color changes to roofs, driveway replacements and deck additions. The Board appreciates everyone’s diligence in observing the covenant process and submitting project requests. (Click here for info)
• Food trucks: We hosted more than 50 food truck events at the Clubhouse as a safe, convenient option for residents throughout the summer and fall. Options ranged from BBQ, burgers, wraps, tacos, cupcakes, shaved ice and more. We received a lot of positive feedback, too, so we’re looking to bring back the most popular vendors when the nice weather returns. (Suggestions? Please email scottthien@comcast.net)
• Santa! That’s right, who could forget Santa?! Thanks to several generous volunteer neighbors, dozens of little Eagle Nesters were able to meet the jolly old guy, Mrs. Claus and their elf helper – socially distanced, of course – during a surprise Christmas Eve drive-thru of the neighborhood. (Click for blog post)

All that, and more, shows why Eagle Nest is the best development around. Just ask your area friends and colleagues – is their neighborhood as creative, involved and engaged? We’d like to think not, and that’s why we can’t wait for another trip around the sun with everyone!

EAGLE NEST WALKERS SHARE TOP EXERCISE SAFETY TIPS

After the “eating season” – that stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas when sumptuous treats abound – comes the New Year’s resolution season, also known as “I really need to lose some weight” season. While health clubs usually see a surge in January attendance, our social distancing era means we may see more Eagle Nest residents taking their fitness and weight loss regimes to our neighborhood streets instead. If you are a walking newcomer, you will be joining an active corps of regulars who endorse this simple activity. Following are some of their top tips:

• Take it easy: Walking also can put stress on the body for those who aren’t prepared. Consult your physician before starting a new activity and begin with a gradual routine. Nobody wants a cardiac event while trying to get healthy!
• Use the sidewalk: To give yourself the best margin of safety, stay out of the street. However, in the interests of social distancing, you may need to briefly take the road when encountering someone, especially one of our seniors or those managing a stroller or a pet.
• Be visible: While it’s always preferable to walk during the day, the shorter days of winter often make that difficult. That calls for an extra measure of caution from walkers and motorists alike who are out when it’s dark. For walkers, high visibility gear is a must. It can be anything from light-colored clothing to a reflective safety belt to a lime green jacket like those worn by first responders.
• Practice situational awareness: A lot of us enjoy our favorite podcasts, talk shows and music while we’re walking, but just remember that whatever lowers the awareness of our surroundings could be a hazard. Stay alert!
• Have fun! A big advantage of walking over running is that there’s a substantial health benefit without the increased effort, meaning walkers can relax and talk with friends on the phone while getting fresh air and exercising close to home. As a bonus, you can forego the cost of a health club membership or expensive gear.

Bottom line, neighborhood walking is free, improves emotional and physical well-being and allows you to connect with friends and neighbors. It’s a deal that’s hard to beat. And hopefully, we all will lose those extra holiday pounds in the process! (Item submitted by resident John Strauss)

POLL: RESIDENTS SPLIT ON 82ND STREET LANDSCAPING

Last week’s Constant Contact poll question asked, “Would you like to see trees or bushes planted in the median of the 82nd Street entrance?” The results from our 54 respondents was almost evenly split. The breakdown:

• Trees – 48.1% (26). I think a couple of trees would like nice in the median.
• Bushes – 51.9% (28) I think clusters of bushes would fill the space nicely.

The Board’s take: The Board has discussed replacing the diseased trees that were removed a few years ago, but other neighborhood needs always seemed to pop up. Now that we have resident feedback, we’ll engage our talented groundskeeper for recommendations to best fill the space. We’ll share those ideas with the community, but given the split decision of the poll don’t be surprised if you see a mix of trees and bushes. As always, thanks for the feedback.

In other news:

Christmas tree recycling: Now through January 31, residents can drop off Christmas trees for recycling at Sahm Park (6801 E. 91st Street, in the parking lot near the pool). A few guidelines:

• Trees must be free of ornaments, tinsel, tree stands and all other decorative materials.
• Trees should be dropped off only at the designated area, and only between dawn and dusk.
• The live tree recycling program is not for commercial use, and is solely for Marion County residents.

What’s on your mind? Do you have neighborhood news or suggestions? Tell us! Reach out to any Board member -- we welcome your input. Click here for Board contact information.

On behalf of the Board,
Scott Thien, President