The Green Space Committee is responsible for planning and coordinating improvements to the green space areas within the community, the Clubhouse and grounds, entrance and other common areas, and mailbox shelter area. The Committee oversees mowing operations on the Clubhouse grounds, side roads and along the main road. The Green Space Committee has been instrumental in an on-going effort to remove debris from the green space and improve Arrowhead Trail. On This Page:
Green Space Committee Team Rob Greene (Committee Chair), Gary Bolick, Donna Wahmann and Joanne Klappauf Green Space Committee News
An Escorted Hike on Arrowhead Trail
On Saturday, May 21st, a dozen residents turned out for an escorted trail hike organized by the newly-formed social group in the community. The hikers traversed Arrowhead Trail from the entrance across from Chestnut Forest Road down to Black Oak Forest Road and back. The hike was led by Rob Greene and Gary Bolick, Green Space Committee members, and Jeffrey Wasserman.
Arrowhead Trail Signs Presented
To Green Space Committee
A sign for the entrance to Arrowhead Trail, along with trail markers, were presented to Rob Greene, Green Space Committee Chair, by Jim McPhail and FFHA President Gary Melton at the May Board Meeting.
The sign, carved by resident craft artist Jim McPhail who serves as FFHA Legal Officer, was given to the committee as the board launches a new year giving focus and new direction toward making significant improvements in the community.
Update: Green Space Committee
Continues Treating Hemlocks
Donna Wahmann, Green Space Committee member, reports that since 2008, the Green Space Committee, under the guidance of Rob Greene and with the assistance of Joanne Klappauf, has been treating hemlocks in our green space areas, by the Clubhouse, and by side road entrances close to the Green Space.
"With volunteers, the committee has been able to treat approximately 25% of the extensive hemlock population in these areas," reports Donna. "In December, the committee contacted Carolina Hemlock Arborists to help assess the areas and begin retreating hemlocks. They treated over 100 trees and noted an 80% survival rate from the previous treatment by the Green Space Committee. Given the drought conditions during those treatment years, that is an impressive success rate."
Payment to the arborists was made through the collected funds of homeowners who have contributed money for this specific cause since 2007. The efforts culd not have been accomplished without the generosity of homeowners.
Volunteers Work to Clean Green Space
The Green Space Committee began some early spring cleanup work earlier this year. Committee members cut brush and pulled weeds from the tennis court area. The committee was given responsibility last September to cleanup and develop a plan for the area. Gary Bolick and Rob Greene also worked to remove a washing machine, refrigerator and tires from the green space trail. Removal of the debris, thrown into Trantham Creek years previous, has been part of an on going program by the committee to clean and beautify Arrowhead Trail, the community-owned green space on the downward side of the main road between Red Oak Forest Forest and Dogwood Forest Roads.
Rob said, "There are still dozens, probably even hundreds, of old tires down there that need to be hauled out. We have to pay $10 per truckload of tires when we take them for disposal."
Property owners who wish to contribute time or money to help beautify the trail should contact Gary or Rob.
The Green Space Committee built a 16-foot-long bridge over Trantham Creek during the summer of 2010 to make it easier for hikers and cyclists to cross the rocky stream. The mile-long green space trail, which starts at a cairn and Arrowhead Trail sign across from the intersection of Chestnut Forest Road and Fairview Forest Drive, traverses the stream at several points. Strategically placed rocks make crossing the creek fairly easy. However, there is one area, about 200 yards below Black Oak Forest Road, where it's much more difficult to get across.
Arrowhead Trail is located in the main area designated as our Green Space located along Trantham Creek, where the creek follows Fairview Forest Drive between Red Oak Forest and Dogwood Forest Roads. The creek is covered by canopies of dense evergreens (hemlock) in places, and deciduous mixed hardwoods in others. It is the rock substrates, moisture levels, and soil which generally dictate plant communities, and most of the Green Space area along the creek could be considered a fairly rich cove forest.
Property owners and residents who have traversed the trail find the natural striking beauty of the area remarkable. A cairn (small tower of stacked stones) and an Arrowhead Trail sign mark the entrance to the trail across from the intersection of Chestnut Forest Road and Fairview Forest Drive. From there, the trail leads along Trantham Creek down the Mountain and, along the way, one can witness a treasure-trove of canopy trees, understory trees, shrub layers, ferns, wildflowers, and vines. The trail breaks at Black Oak Forest Road, then continues.
Red markers along the rail indicate Arrowhead Trail; yellow circular markers will occasionally mark an alternate trail path for Troll Trail which always rejoins Arrowhead Trail a short distance later. And blue markers indicate an old logging trail path.
For anyone interested in or wanting to learn about plants, the Green Space is a wonderful classroom! Please remember: Unless invasive (see the list below), do not remove any plants from these areas. They are here for the enjoyment of all of us.
Below is a partial list of the many, many plants already recorded along Arrowhead Trail; the list was prepared by Donna Wahmann, Green Space Committee member.
Canopy Trees — Oaks, Tulip Poplar, Red Maple, Black Birch, Hickories, Buckeye, Umbrella Tree (a deciduous forest Magnolia), American Basswood, Beech, Wild Locust, Wild Cherry, Ash, White Pine, and Hemlock
Understory Trees — Sourwood, Witch Hazel, and Dogwood
Shrub Layer — Rosebay Rhododendron, Doghobble, Mountain Laurel, Spicebush, Wild Hydrangea, Elderberry, and Hearts a bustin'
Ferns and their close relatives — Christmas Fern, Bracken Fern, Hay Scented Fern, Northern Maidenhair Fern, Woolly Lip Fern, Grape Fern, and Spleenworts
Herbaceous Layer, (Wildflowers and less notables) — Trilliums, Jack in the Pulpit, Asters, Meadow Rue, Wild Geranium, Bloodroot, Squawroot, Showy Orchis, Puttyroot, Ratttlesnake Plantain, Indian Cucumber Root, Dwarf Crested Iris, Lungwort, Moneywort, Wood Sorrel, Alumroot, Prenanthes, Crowfoot, Yellow Mandarin, Hepaticas, Harbinger of Spring, Baneberry, Toothworts, Black Cohosh, Goatsbeard, Bishops Cap, Ginsing, Saxifrage, Fleabane Daisy, Solomon Seal, False Solomon Seal, Bedstraw, Jewelweed, Goldenrods, Sweet Cicely, Galax, Sedums, and Violas (purple, yellow)
Vines — Virginia Creeper, Grape, and Wild Yam
Nasties — Poison Ivy, Stinging Nettles, and Greenbriar
Invasives — Bittersweet, Multiflora Rose, Microstegyum, Japanese Spirea, Chinese Privet, and Tree of Heaven
Clubhouse
The community is responsible for maintenance and improvements to the Clubhouse as prescribed
when the property and facility were deeded over to Fairview Forest some years ago.
The Clubhouse is available for use by Association members in good standing (and/or their guests) at no charge. However, those using the Clubhouse can make a donation to help defray the cost of general Clubhouse maintenance including heating/air conditioning, utility costs, propane for kitchen range, use of kitchen facility and any materials provided. The donation can be all or part of the deposit check. Questions regarding the Clubhouse should be directed to FFHA or one of the Clubhouse coordinators.
It is the responsibility of the host of the event to supply food, drinks, decorations, and paper goods for their private function.
Due to insurance liabilities, the Clubhouse is not for rent to non-members. If a member arranges for use of the facility by a non-member, the member is responsible for actions of the non-member.
If possible, member should make reservations for the Clubhouse one week before use. Keys can be arranged for pick-up from Joanne Klappauf who handles Clubhouse reservations
Clubhouse use hours are from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Member is responsible for clean-up and removal of all trash by the end of the day following use of the Clubhouse.
Member must deliver a clean-up/repair deposit check for $100.00 prior to the reservation date. The check will be returned after return of the key to designated person and an inspection of the satisfactory condition of the Clubhouse has been made.
Spills or soiling of the floor are expected to be cleaned by member, otherwise deposit will have to be retained to hire this done. Laminate flooring should not be wet mopped; use a dry cloth or vacuum to clean the floor. Do not drag tables or furniture across the floor.
Consideration of neighbors is required; please keep noise to acceptable levels. Cars are to be parked so as not to obstruct the main road.
Any equipment (tables, chairs, etc.) supplied by the member must be removed before final inspection and return of deposit check.
All doors and windows are to be locked, heat and/or AC adjusted to posted settings, and lights turned off prior to vacating the premises. Rear patio doors should be secured and checked.
In regard to alcoholic beverages, North Carolina statutes treat the Clubhouse as if it were a private residence. The hosts have the same responsibilities for their guests as if they were serving alcohol in their homes. The Association's insurance policy provides "Host Liquor Liability". Alcoholic beverages can be served but cannot be sold.
While our community provides the mail and package boxes in the mailbox shelter, the Fairview Post Office handles assignments of the boxes and keys to members of the Association.
The Bulletin Boards are for use only by members of the Association. Notices of real estate offerings are not allowed. Members who post to the bulletin boards should also remove the material within a reasonable time.
The parking area near the mailbox shelter is for use by property owners as a temporary parking area for guests and for members' vehicles during weather events that might prevent travel up and down the mountain.
FHA regulations limit parking in the entrance parking area to a day or so. The area is not intended for long-term parking or vehicle storage. The parking area is intended for the following uses only: Clubhouse attendee parking, property owner guest parking, transfer truck work area, construction equipment storage (short-term, such as a day or two), FFHA vendor vehicle and equipment storage area, and winter bad weather parking area. The parking area is not for vehicle, boat, or motorized equipment storage. Likewise, the parking area is not a used vehicle sales lot. Contact a board member if you have questions pertaining to usage of this area.
In addition to the parking area near the mailbox shelter, vehicles, boats, campers and other motorized or towed equipment should not be stored on the sides of roads.
The entrance to Fairview Forest has been esthetically improved over the past number of years with the return of entrance lightning, repairs to the stone entrance walls, and new signage. The board asks for the cooperation of every property owner in helping to maintain an attractive "first-impression" of Fairview Forest.
The Green Space Committee oversees and schedules seasonal mowing with the community, the entrance area, clubhouse grounds, and main road and works with the vendor to schedule mowing near the holiday weekends and special mowing or mowing-related work projects.
Property owners and residents of Fairview Forest can make a big difference in the appearance of our community. WastePro holds the county contract for refuse pickup and pickup day is Thursday anytime after 7 a.m. Trash should be placed in containers with lids and left at your driveway entrance. Trash containers should not be left at driveway entrances or near the road after pickup unless the containers are out of view.
Trash placed out pickup should always be in containers, have your address number on the container and secured with a lid. Papers, crushed boxes and so forth should be bundled and tied and left next to the container.
If trash left for pickup is inadvertently missed, it is the responsibility of each property owner/resident to contact WastePro and not to leave the trash at the pickup point days before or days after WastePro visits the mountain.
Bears, raccoons, dogs, and other animals are especially attracted to trash bags. This is why the use of trash containers is the best way to keep our community litter-free and to keep your trash from being scattered on the road.
Don't be a litterbug! All too frequently, litter is a common sight along the main road in Fairview Forest and the sideroads following the trash pickup. In addition, construction workers often leave an amount of litter for which property owners are responsible. Thanks to the numerous volunteers who stop and pick up these items and work to keep our community beautiful.
"With volunteers, the committee has been able to treat approximately 25% of the extensive hemlock population in these areas," reports Donna. "In December, the committee contacted Carolina Hemlock Arborists to help assess the areas and begin retreating hemlocks. They treated over 100 trees and noted an 80% survival rate from the previous treatment by the Green Space Committee. Given the drought conditions during those treatment years, that is an impressive success rate."
The Green Space Committee built a 16-foot-long bridge over Trantham Creek during the summer of 2010 to make it easier for hikers and cyclists to cross the rocky stream. The mile-long green space trail, which starts at a cairn and Arrowhead Trail sign across from the intersection of Chestnut Forest Road and Fairview Forest Drive, traverses the stream at several points. Strategically placed rocks make crossing the creek fairly easy. However, there is one area, about 200 yards below Black Oak Forest Road, where it's much more difficult to get across.
The entrance to Fairview Forest has been esthetically improved over the past number of years with the return of entrance lightning, repairs to the stone entrance walls, and new signage. The board asks for the cooperation of every property owner in helping to maintain an attractive "first-impression" of Fairview Forest.
