Category: President Message

Messages sent as official communication from the President.

Posted on

Reminder … Park clean-up – next Saturday, April 10, 8-11AM

Begin forwarded message:

From: Tom McCook kpwroadraiders@gmail.com
Date: 4/7/2021
To: Tom McCook trmccook@gmail.com
Subject: Reminder … Park clean-up – next Saturday, April 10, 8-11AM

Just a friendly reminder, I think the rain will hold off till late Saturday and “most of the Boy Scouts” will be delivering mulch, so we need as many neighbors as possible to volunteer.

I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

———- Forwarded message ———
From: Tom McCook kpwroadraiders@gmail.com
Date: Sun, Apr 4, 2021 at 12:43 PM

Neighbors, Scouts, Students & friends,

Our annual spring park clean up at Lakeside (off Pommeroy) and Royal Lake (off Gainsborough) parks is this coming Saturday, April 10, 8-11AM
We need your help for as much time as you can commit (start early, leave early, start late, leave late, etc.).

We are approaching this effort, to clean-up, pick up plastics as much at the source as possible. We want to eliminate the trash prior to getting to Lake Royal, Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay.
We are asking the volunteers to walk up-stream into “crooked creek/ rabbit branch” and Shane’s creek as feasible, along with the trail along the lake and just beyond the dam up-to Guinea road.
Lots of areas to clean, we need your help, of all ages to participate, a great family & friends activity, socially distant that you can support.

Still in the pandemic, the virus is still around us, so we ask everyone to participate with face masks and be respectful of social distancing.
I have attached two forms from FCPA on COVID release and the park volunteer team activities. We’ll have copies at the parks during check-in, but it is easier if you can complete prior to.
Recommend gloves & “long pants” some plants have numerous thorns. We’ll supply trash bags. We’ll have “hand-sanitizer” and face masks as needed.

April 10, just as spring is starting to “pop into wonder” before the new growth is so thick that we cannot see the trash!
Greg Sykes will be leading a separate effort to pull a very invasive plant – “garlic mustard” into the Shanes creek area. If you are interested to support this invasive management activity, please contact me or Greg Sykes for further details (at the same time/location for check-in at Royal Lake Park, greg@grsykes.com).

Students – a great chance for service hours, please come & explore nature while cleaning up our trash.
Scouts – many great opportunities for volunteer leadership. I have many projects just “waiting for you” Please give me an email/call to coordinate.

Goals as always …

  1. Explore & discover nature in our wonderful park system
  2. Clean up our trash for wildlife and neighbors in the park

Rain day – unless it is raining “VERY HARD” we intend to clean up next Saturday; in case of extreme weather/ thunderstorms; we’ll reschedule as early as possible.

Next opportunity – May 15, Friends of Royal Lake (FORL) will be sponsoring a “trail maintenance day”
Our focus is support proper and effective rain-water control on the trail, so the wetlands are preserved, erosion is minimized and the trail is kept “as dry as possible” this is a long-term endeavor and we need your support (& wheel barrows) to preserve our wonderful Lake Royal park for the future!

Any questions, please give me a call AND please forward this email to family, friends, neighbors and interested students.

Sincerely,
Tom McCook
703.839.5205

Posted on

Good evening. Please find listed below several updates for you.

Links:
CDC guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Johns Hopkins GLobal COVID-19 Map and Coronavirus Resources: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
State-wide analysis and guidance: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/
County-specific guidance: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19/
County Emergency Preparedness: https://fairfaxcountyemergency.wpcomstaging.com/category/coronavirus-covid-19/

UPDATED INFORMATION ITEMS:

  1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, MARCH 16, 2021, 7:00PM. The March board meeting will be conducted via the RingCentral virtual meeting framework. See the website under ‘Meetings’, select the year (2021), then the meeting (20210316). Document #01-1 contains the information to join the meeting.
  2. YARD WASTE COLLECTION. Yard Waste is once again being picked up separately for us on Tuesday and Friday. Fairfax County has begun fining trash contractors that bring plastic bags in with yard waste. If you place yard waste out, please follow the rules we have listed on the website for such disposals – see below for the ongoing information.
  3. SPRING 2021 ARBOR CARE WORK. Our winter/early spring tree work is ongoing. Parking spaces impacted will receive notices concerning specific dates and times. Curb parking impacted will be marked.
  4. POOL INFORMATION. Pool applications were sent out with the newsletter and we are already seeing them start to be returned. Thank you to those who have responded, we appreciate your early response. Further information to follow on pool operations for the upcoming season. Repairs are ongoing at the wading pool to prepare for the season. Once those repairs are complete both pools will get a new white coat. Expect to see work ongoing at the pool from now on both to conduct the repairs and maintenance and prepare for the season.
  5. LEAVES: If you have not taken care of the leaves in your front yards please do so. Help keep our community more neat and most probably, your neighbors more happy.
  6. SPRING 2021 ACC INSPECTION, DELAYED TO SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021. Due to the anticipated COVID-19 vaccination schedule we are postponing the Spring Home Inspection till May. Further information to follow.
  7. RESIDENT OWNER AND NON-RESIDENT OWNER PARKING PERMIT (HANG TAG) RENEWALS. Also in light of the anticipated COVID-19 vaccination schedule we have postponed the hang tag distribution to mid-May. Again, further information to follow along with a post card to each owner in mid-April. Tenants – you are NOT impacted by this distribution – your hang-tag expiration corresponds to the date your current lease expires.

UNCHANGED (OR MARGINALLY UPDATED) INFORMATION:

  1. ACC: All rules remain in effect. Out-of-cycle ACC violation processes are ongoing. The Spring 2021 Home Inspection will occur in May. See the Community Rules Section 2 for information.
  2. COMMUNICATIONS: The February/March 2021 newsletter is published on the website. This edition is digital-only due to the COVID-19 impacts – if you need a hard copy please contact communications@parkwestcommunity.org.
  3. ECC: All rules remain in effect. See the Community Rules Section 3 for information.

3.1. BULK WASTE PICKUP. Advanced notice is required for any bulk item pickup. Fees will be increased slightly to cover the additional handling costs due to COVID-19. Bulk items include furniture, mattresses, appliances, grills, exercise equipment, construction debris,
or any other large item that would normally be collected with a rear-load trash truck. See the Special Item Pickup Rules in the ‘Living in PWCA’ tab of the website.

3.2. GLASS RECYCLING (PURPLE CONTAINERS): Glass recycling has resumed and the purple recycling containers are throughout Fairfax County.

3.3. RECYCLING AND TRASH. Should you see someone placing trash or recycling out at an unauthorized time, feel free to take their picture (to include the residence they are coming from/returning to) and email the pictures to environment@parkwestcommunity.org. See the Community Rules Section 3.4 through 3.10 for information.

3.3.1 TRASH. Collected on TUESDAY and FRIDAY. Black bags or trash containers should be placed out no earlier than 6:00 PM on Monday evening and Thursday evening, no later than 6:00 AM on Tuesday morning and Friday morning.

3.3.2 RECYCLING. Collected on WEDNESDAY. Recycling containers and flattened cardboard should be placed out no earlier than 6:00 PM on Tuesday evening and no later than 6:00 AM on Wednesday morning.

3.4. YARD DEBRIS PICKUP. Yard Debris is picked up on TUESDAY and FRIDAY in a specific yard debris truck. All yard waste requirements and constraints are in effect as normal. See the Community Rules Section 3.7 for information.

3.5. TOT LOT. In accordance with the Forward Virginia Blueprint and resulting Fairfax County guidance, the playground was opened effective 17 June 2020. There is no special cleaning on any surface – USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Adhere to social distancing requirements.

3.6. BASKETBALL COURT. In accordance with the Forward Virginia Blueprint and resulting Fairfax County guidance, the basketball court was opened effective 17 June 2020. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Users must stay ten (10) feet apart.

3.7. LENDING LIBRARY PATIO. In accordance with the Forward Virginia Blueprint and resulting Fairfax County guidance, the patio itself was opened effective 17 June 2020. There is no special cleaning on any surface – USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Adhere to social distancing requirements.

3.8. LENDING LIBRARY (CLOSED). In accordance with Phase 3 of the Forward Virginia Blueprint and resulting Fairfax County guidance, the Library remains CLOSED due to the restrictions on shared equipment.

3.9. COMMON AREAS. In accordance with the Forward Virginia Blueprint and resulting Fairfax County guidance, the common areas were opened effective 17 June 2020. There is no special cleaning on any surface – USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Adhere to social distancing requirements.

  1. PARKING. All rules remain in effect. The Resident Owner and Non-Resident Owner Parking Permit (Hangtag) Renewals for 2021 are planned for mid-May. See the Community Rules Section 4 for information.
  2. SOCIAL. 2021 planned events will be assessed for viability based on pandemic guidance issued through the state and county.
  3. COMMUNITY SUPPORT REQUEST. This request remains active – thank you to those who have responded so far.

Stay safe and well,

Mark

Posted on

Fwd: Reminder – President’s Day clean-up at Crooked Creek Park (off Commonwealth)

All – please consider giving a couple of hours of your time tomorrow
morning at Crooked Creek Park.

Regards,

Mark

Begin forwarded message:

From: Tom McCook <kpwroadraiders@gmail.com>

Subject: Reminder – President’s Day clean-up at Crooked Creek Park (off Commonwealth)

I hope to see you all on Monday morning!

Please be prepared for “chilly & wet weather”

Objective: Spend two hours to discover nature in this small park, clean it up and improve our community.

Please be prepared to walk through wooded and potentially wet areas of the park. Boots, work-gloves and appropriate weather related clothing.

We’ll have trash bags to distribute.

Wear Boots! It could be snowy, cold, wet, rainy or muddy!

Note – unless hazardous conditions exist (snowstorms that make driving hazardous, etc.) we intend to clean-up.

Next Planned event – the annual “Springtime clean up” at Lakeside, Royal Lake on Saturday, April 10 8-11AM! (in coordination with the FCPA and Nature Conservancy)

———- Forwarded message ———

From: Tom McCook <kpwroadraiders@gmail.com>

Date: Fri, Feb 5, 2021 at 2:03 PM

Friends, Neighbors, Scouts & Students,

Our first annual President’s Day park clean up is planned for Monday, February 15th. 8-10AM. We hope you can participate.

See attached flyer, and two FCPA based release forms. If you can print, sign & bring these with you, thanks. I’ll have copies at the park to sign, too.

Objective: Spend two hours to discover nature in this small park, clean it up and improve our community.

Please be prepared to walk through wooded and potentially wet areas of the park. Boots, work-gloves and appropriate weather related clothing.

We’ll have trash bags to distribute.

Wear Boots! It could be snowy, cold, wet, rainy or muddy! Note – unless hazardous conditions exist (blinding snowstorms that make driving hazardous, etc.) we intend to clean-up.

COVID precautions – face masks are mandatory. Socially distancing – please clean-up together only in your “family-based bubble” we do not want to chance spreading this terrible virus. If you feel sick, please stay home – there will be many more opportunities in the future to help our community.

Many thanks to the FCPD – Sergeant Powell who stopped the planned archery – deer hunt in this park, just so that we could clean it up!

Next event – Royal Lake Park Clean-up – Annual Spring effort, more info to follow.

Service Hours – Students & Scouts – if you need “service hours” since during Covid – we are not doing our monthly “small clean-ups” please contact me at KPWRoadRaiders@gmail.com and we can individually arrange specific clean-up/park improvement projects for you & your friends.

Any questions, please send me an email or call.

Tom McCook

703.839.5205

Posted on

2020-2021 Snow Event #2, Update #3 and Final Update

Good evening to all.

The Snow Emergency for this event is hereby canceled.

Expect refreezing to occur during the melt so watch where you walk (and drive) during the next few days.

Trash pickup did occur today and we can expect to have recycling pickup tomorrow. Please refer to the Patriot Disposal website for the most accurate information (www.patriotdisposalservices.com).

The Gainsborough Drive Snow Emergency No Parking Zones are hereby rescinded. All poles and tape have been removed from those curbs and parking may resume. Message boards will be updated tomorrow.

The pool parking did not receive any vehicles for the event so normal parking restrictions are hereby in effect.

The marker poles designating the speed humps will remain through the rest of the season.

Thanks again for your assistance with keeping the no parking zones free and to those who took care of the community sidewalks.

Stay safe,

Mark

Posted on

2020-2021 Snow Event #2, Update #2

Good evening to all.

Once again this evening please expect to find adverse conditions on all streets, sidewalks, and footpaths throughout the community.

We will have another salt truck through the roads this evening.

Currently the trash pickup for tomorrow is still on.  Any communities with Monday pickups had to be canceled due to the weather conditions – please refer to the Patriot Disposal website for the most accurate information (www.patriotdisposalservices.com).

The Gainsborough Drive Snow Emergency No Parking Zones remain in effect.  We are keeping the pool parking lot plowed and salted should anyone need to park there (with a valid permit) during this emergency.

As with yesterday’s email, thank you to all who took their time to clear common sidewalks to help make our community more safe to walk through.

Talk to y’all again tomorrow.

Stay safe,

Mark