Heavy wet snow will obscure trash. Let’s wait until next Saturday
Friends Group Meeting Notes 19 April 2018
Meeting was held at JAKs Brewery. Dana Nordstrom, Adam Baker, Larry Fariss, Cris and Rich Mock attended.
The Great American Cleanup is 21 Apr at Homestead Ranch. Four people have signed up: Susan & Alleah Baron, Susan Grosenheider and myself. This is a rain/snow or shine event that starts at 0900. I picked up gloves, vests and trash bags from the county. The plan is to pick up trash around the base area, upper trails and the entrance road. It shouldn’t take us more that two hours and others are welcome. Thanks for your help in keeping Homestead great!
We discussed the future of this friends group. Adam suggested projects such as noxious weed control, staining the bridge and sapling thinning where workers could take some home. I know I’m interested in that. Dana mentioned a potential equestrian skills course that she will discuss with her leadership. Larry suggested leveraging the unofficial Pineries group. Bottom line is that this is a great park but participation suffers from its distant location.
I’ve led this friends group for three years and have established this free website and a gmail account friendsofhomestead ranch@gmail.com. I got involved when improvements were made to the pond and ended up on the County Parks Advisory Board where I met a great group of county staff. Now I’m on the Fairgrounds Corporation. I really enjoy working with the county but the time has come for a change of leadership for the Homestead Friends group. I used to walk my dogs frequently but they’re now old and I only get to the park occasionally. So we’re looking for someone who is more involved to take the group to the next level. I’ve established a foundation to build on. So let us know if you’re interested. I will give you the keys to the website, email and free advice (worth exactly what you paid for). I plan to stay involved with the county and work the Woodlake Trail that I helped establish several years ago.
Peace out,
Rich & Cris Mock
Alicia Archibald and Gary were very entertaining and the weather couldn’t have been better
Thanks to Dana Nordstrom from county parks for organizing. Bigger and better next year!
Free Concert June 10 6-8 PM
Great news!!! We have a concert scheduled for Saturday, June 10th from 6 pm to 8 pm. Her name is Alicia Archibald. Check her out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02wcAoeSVTw
Great American Cleanup
Larry Tobias Vicki Deneker Rich Mock. Photo by Judi Tobias.
We picked up trash on the bottom and got some help from Rob Jackson’s hiking group up top
Let’s keep our park clean. Thanks!
Great American Cleanup Sat April 22
Homestead Ranch Regional Park will be included this year. Visit http://www.gacppp.com to sign up
Noxious Weeds — Still plenty left
My wife, Cris, her daughter, Teri, and I spent about two hours getting after the mullein above the pond. There’s still lots to do so I’m thinking of having our Aug meeting at the park (quieter than JAKs) and causing more mayhem. Who’s in?
Noxious Weed Control now 6 Jul at 5 PM
We’ll be beheading mature mullein and digging up the kids as well as getting after any thistle. Adam asked us to work the hill behind the pond as our primary objective. Pray for better weather.
Spring 2016 Meeting 26 May, 5 PM at JAKs Brewery in Falcon
Meeting was held at JAKs Brewery in Falcon.
The meeting began with introductions to include how each person uses the park
Dana Nordstrom discussed parks friends groups in general. She suggested we may want to form a non-profit 501c3 org sometime in the future when we have money. She also mentioned that the county had two tool trailers available for our use. The county collects $1.50 per person per year to fund parks.
Adam Baker discussed the status of ongoing projects at the park: $25K needed for erosion control (funded by Capitol Improvement Projects), windmill being fixed ($5K which is half of the operating budget for all county parks). The group requested the horse mounting steps be moved away from the hitching rail 15-20 feet for better access. Adam agreed to do this. Dennis mentioned flooding on the new horse loop trail, Adam responded that this is being addressed. Adam also mentioned enforcement of the “out of control” dog ordinance at all county parks,
The horse poker run will take place sometime after the county fair.
Jean Foran requested heated toilet seats when we get filthy rich 🙂
The group may want to consider a conservation easement in the future to prevent park sellout. This is a long term project that will require funding.
The group agreed on a noxious weed control as its initial project on Th, 23 Jun from 5-8 PM.
Other potential projects are listed under volunteer opportunities on the county parks website http://adm.elpasoco.com/CommunityServices/ParkOperations/Pages/default.aspx
Rich Mock mentioned ongoing discussions with the county on a potential off leash dog area. Details are on the HR Friends website https://friendsofhomesteadranch.wordpress.com/ Please provide your inputs to him for further discussions with county parks.
The group decided to meet quarterly. Next meeting will be in August at a quieter location (Falcon Library, Firehouse, Rec Center or my fav, Antlers Grill at the golf course).
Potential Off Leash Dog Area
The county has proposed potential off leash dog areas with option 2 preferred. What do you think?
Friends of Homestead Ranch 