Path connecting Stone Hollow and Highview Trail Pl

Sharse - I am confused - they went ahead and built a connecting path from Stone Hollow to Highview Trail - on the part of Stone Hollow closer to Ridgeway?

Neighbor - we have all the contact info for the project at home -- will send.

We live at the end of Stone Hollow (where it connects to Claiborne) where they had cleared all the land for the tot lot. We had been in discussions with Van Metre about the impact to our property, and we were told we would get a heads up if any decisions were made to keep moving forward or to put the brakes on for good. We haven't heard anything, so it's definitely time for follow up, as it seems like things are happening or being decided.

 

That's correct. They paved it a week or so ago. It's short... just winds its way down the hill parallel to Ridgeway.

 

I heard rumblings about some homeowners threatening a lawsuit...Does that mean Van Metre caved? If so, I'm sure I can round up some neighbors for a counter law suit that bought our lots thinking there would be a tot lot, as well as some crap Van Metre never told me that effected myself and a few neighbors lots....

 

Cliff was mentioning he thought it was cancelled for the Stone Hollow/Claiborne location - not cancelled altogether. My understanding is that they MUST put a tot lot somewhere in that SW area, the question is where.

We all bought lots on Stone Hollow at different locations for different reasons - and the information that there would be a tot lot at the Highview Trail place location was available at that time. It would have been nice if a) all the homeowners sought out all that information when they purchased and knew where the tot lot would be in relation to their house (it seems like this didn't happen) and b) if VM just stuck with that plan.

Now all they've done is gotten the entire street riled up.

 

P.S. We will be contacting VM directly to find out what's going on. No guarantee they will be forthcoming with information - our last interaction with them on this matter was back in July. I will share what we learn. The one thing I have learned from this process is that they aren't always telling all of the residents the same thing or the right information, which impedes our abillity as residents to work the issues together, with strength in numbers.

 

Thanks Merlin! I understand, we called about somethign and everyoen got a different answer/excuse....

 

I would suggest calling Pat Leader. She's with Van Metre and also on the HOA Board. Her number is 703-723-2814.
You can always catch several of the Van Metre folks at our HOA Board meetings, second Tuesday of the month, 5:30-7:30pm, at the Nature Center.

 

Van Metre advised us that they will not be building a tot lot in either the original location between Ridgeway and Highview Trail, or at the new location they cleared out along Claiborne/Ridgeway.
They will be adding more equipment to be built in a new tot lot in Section 62 (east of Claiborne and south of Wyndridge) and adding a few more pieces to the play area next to the Nature Center.
They are considering putting in a picnic table or two in the area they had already cleared out.

 

Well, as someone who has little ones and was looking VERY forward to being able to walk to a nice tot lot, I'm bummed. Did they say 'why'? By the time the section 62 build out is done my kids will probably be too big, as I suspect it will be a few years. It WOULD be nice to have more equipment by the Nature Center, though. Did they give you a timeline for that, Cliff?

 

I agree - a good tot lot would be really nice in the originally designated area of Southern Walk - or at least in that section of housing. What about the common area off of Ridgeway across from Inglewood Place? There's a common area there with nothing but a path leading to a single park bench.

 

There was never intended t be a tot lot there. In a previous meeting a few years ago, the residents around that area made it clear they did not want anything built there.

 

So what is the timeline and where does this currently stand. Can I attend a board meeting and raise this issue?

 

I don't have the answers to your questions. It is a Developer (Van Metre) issue and they march to their own timelines.
Please feel free to attend the next Board meeting. Feb 13, 5:30-7:30pm at the Nature Center.

 

This is very disappointing. So basically, all of the tot lots with exception to the Nature Center (which really doens't have enough to consider a tot lot) will be on the OTHER side of Claiborne. I know there are other Southern Walk homeowners on the Ridgeweay side of Claiborne who would really like a tot lot. Before the next HOA meeting (4/10), can you respond if you are a homeowner who would be intersted in fighting VM on this?

 

1grtchr - When you say "fighting VM on this", what exactly are you proposing as a solution?

 

I thought they were going to build one on the corner of Stone Hollow and Claiborne. Didnt they clear a spot, and put in a wooden bridge? What is taking so long to finish it?

 

For many reasons, construction at this location was abandoned after the clearing occurred and the bridge was built.

 

I live on Cloverleaf and was really looking forward to a tot lot within a short walking distance. While I understand the view of the people who live there (I didn't realize that VM had told them that the land behind them would not be developed), I am dissapointed to hear that it won't be going in. However, since the spot on Claiborne and Stone Hollow has already been cleared, especially if they put in picnic tables, there's a good chance that it will become a "hang out" similar to the sledding hill on Truro Parish that has created so many problems for the residents there.

 

Which is why we would take issue if they decide to put picnic tables there. We've actually been meaning to contact them about that. We are NOT trying to be the neighborhood scrooge - I hope folks can understand the reasons behind the differing opinions about this.

 

sorry I am confused on where you stand. Will you take issue if they put picnic tables and not tot lot (as planned) becuase you want a tot lot? Or will you take issue becuase you don't want picnic tables?


I think they should put both picnic tables and a tot lot playground. I dont really see the purpose of one without the other. Matter of fact, I have trouble thinking of a single tot lot in Broadlands that doesnt have a picnic table (and vice versa).