CLCA (Lot16)

Countryside Lake Conservation Area History (Lot 16)

CLA was granted title to lot 16 in 1980 as part of an agreement with Countryside Joint Venture, the developer of the Countryside Homeowners Association properties.

Lot 16 sat vacant and densely overgrown and practically impenetrable until the vision of Bud Furch to create a beautiful, useful and environmentally friendly extension of our beach area. A $5,000 matching funds donation by the Oppenheimer family helped start the project. Support from the Countryside Lake membership enabled us to more than double that amount.

The initial clearing was done by ILM with the direction of Bud and Craig Anderson. As the clearing began, it became evident that much of the property had dead, fallen and low quality, invasive species. The area nearer to the beach had some nice oak trees but also had a mound of garbage covered with soil. It is believed that the soil was dumped there at one time when the lagoon was dredged. The edge of the property was not cleared at this time to maintain a perimeter boundary both for security and a sense of enclosure.

Besides the invasive trees and shrubs such as buckthorn, boxelder and multiflora rose, weeds such as garlic mustard, burdock, canadian thistle and canary reed grass were abundant. An herbicidal eradication program has been ongoing. ILM was hired to do herbicidal spraying and Sharon Anderson and Tom Richter have spent hours spraying

as well.

A survey of the property was performed by Chamberlin/Masse Engineering to enable us to better visualize the property boundaries, existing trees and grading and drainage. Sharon Anderson drew up a conceptual plan showing a woodland area, wetland, moist and dry meadow, paths and perimeter. The mound of soil was envisioned to become a promontory overlook with a rock retaining wall and a council ring.

More clearing has taken place, opening views to the lake and removing undesirable vegetation. In 2008, Pete Hernandez and Sons was hired to perform clearing and chipping and to plant several shade and ornamental trees.

In spring of 2009, Craig Anderson supervised Gonzales Landscapes as they built the rock retaining wall using leftover stone from the lagoon project. This involved removing a great deal of garbage including highway guardrails and other metal that was buried there. They also graded the promontory and laid woodchip paths through the woodland.

Jim Esperson made us aware of a property in Wisconsin with a high quality woodland area that was slated for development. He contacted the developer and obtained permission for us to ‘rescue’ wildflowers from the property. Carlos from Peter Sonza Novera was hired to help us dig and and then replant the wildflowers in the woodland with the direction of Sharon Anderson and Tom Richter. Jim Donndelinger joined them with his water cart to make sure the new plants got a drink. The woodland plants include great white trillium, mayapples, virginia bluebells, dutchman’s breeches, bloodroot, wild ginger, squill and trout lily. We also planted daylilies and daffodils from the Wisconsin site.

During the summer of 2009, Elite Growers, a wholesale pernennial grower, donated hundreds of hosta which were installed by Peter Sonza Novera. In the fall, The Barn Nursery planted red maples, magnolias, serviceberry, blackhaw viburnum, bush honeysuckle, pagoda dogwood and annabelle hydrangea, grow-low sumac and cutleaf stephandra. It was decided that Lot 16 needed a more suitable name and is now designated the Countryside Lake Conservation Area.

With the help of Dan Libersacki and Tori Trauscht, we applied for and received a WMB grant for the wetland area. The grant required that matching funds be budgeted by our board and that volunteer hours in kind be utilized on the project. Sadly, Bud Furch passed away in July of 2009. His vision and passion for this restoration will be honored and greatly missed as we move forward. His wife, Rosemary Aitken managed the grant and helped with the volunteer effort.

In the spring of 2010, Pizzo Associates, an ecological restoration firm was contracted to create and implement a plan for the project. Volunteers collected garbage, pulled weeds and cut down and dragged branches and logs to piles to be burned or chipped. Carlos from Peter Sonza Novera was hired to remove invasive and unsightly trees and shrubs.

The ecological restoration firm herbicided and mowed invasive species throughout the wetland area. They then drill and hand seeded native species of wildflowers and grasses. Several stewardship visits followed to continue eradication of invasive species, ensuring that the native plants are successfully established. The native plants develop deep root systems over a period of years, creating a beautiful, healthy ecosystem that will provide habitat for wildlife and help filter water draining through the area before entering our lake.

In 2011 another WMB grant was granted to continue with stewardship of the site and the planting of additional trees, shrubs and native grasses and wildflowers.

If funding and a volunteer effort permit, future plans include:

• eradication of invasive species through burning and herbicide application

• planting of the rock outcrop retaining wall surrounding the promontory

• a masonry seatwall council ring with firepit

• seeding and planting plugs of woodland wildflowers

• planting bulbs such as daffodils in fall

• continue clearing perimeter and replacing with desirable trees and shrubs

• program to educate CLA members about the project

• enlist members to donate money with possible recognition through signage

We are creating a nature preserve and wildlife habitat that is not only beautiful but also educational. Our volunteer effort will continue to provide the necessary stewardship to ensure the success of the plantings and prevent invasive species. It would be wonderful to start an educational program for the neighborhood children.

Thank you to our volunteers! Please join us and we will add your name to the list!!

Sidney and Mark Czynski, Sharon and Craig Anderson, Bud Furch, Rosemary Aitken, Tom Richter, John, Stacy and Ryan Eifert, Larry & Joy Johnson, Jim Donndelinger, Andrew and Gail Zych, Colleen & Dan Liberacki, Rich Theobold, Kevin & Janine Walsh, Gary Passifume, David & Sherrie Stevenson, Mike & Debbie Hayek, Julie Wilkins, Janice Miller, Don Zordani, Drew Hupp, Anna Lively

species graphics courtesy of Sharon Anderson