About this project
The Vista Ridge HOA is converting turf in its 15 landscaped park areas to water-wise (xeriscape) landscaping: drip-irrigated plantings, rock and cobble, and native seed instead of sod. Parks 2 to 5 were rebuilt in summer 2025; plans for the next parks are paused while the Board gathers owner input and waits for the Town of Erie's new xeriscaping rules.
Timeline
- Feb 16, 2023: The Board decided to start obtaining xeriscape plans for the park areas.
- 2023: Norris Design presented options and bid $70,000 for design plans for all 15 areas; the Board sought other bids and legal advice on the water-wise landscaping rules in Colorado's SB23-178.
- Feb 20, 2024: Boulder Landscape Designs was hired for xeriscape CAD drawings for all 15 HOA areas ($12,500).
- Apr 16, 2024: The Board reviewed six park designs.
- Jan 14, 2025: Design plans for Parks 2–6 were ratified.
- May 20, 2025: Bids for Parks 2–6 were ratified.
- Jun 23 – Jul 28, 2025: Park 2 (Ironwood Circle) rebuilt by Elevate Contracting: sod removed, irrigation adjusted, plants, edging, rock and boulders installed. A change order added a planter bed.
- Aug 4–18, 2025: Parks 3 (Hickory Way and Links Place) and 4 (Driver Lane and Greens Place) completed.
- Aug 19, 2025: The Board approved xeriscape designs for Parks 7, 8 and 9 and asked for bids and owner comment.
- Sep 8–18, 2025: Park 5 rebuilt.
- Sep 16, 2025: After many residents opposed the Park 7 design, the Board paused the Parks 7–9 plans and bids.
- Oct 21, 2025: Parks 7–10 designs and bids put on hold until 2026 and the Town of Erie's new xeriscaping rules.
- Mar 31, 2026: Parks 7–10 items removed from the agenda until next year.
Sources: HOA Board minutes (2023–2026) and the contractor's weekly updates, all linked on this site.