September 2023 - Village at Thornapple

September 29, 2023September 29, 2023

Tree Updates – Fall 2023

Happy Friday!

It appears the city of Columbus forestry team has done another review and marked additional street trees within our community for review or removal.

A reminder on street trees: These trees fall under City of Columbus ordinance and are subject to specific city code. In our conversations with the Forestry section, they explained that trees marked with a blue dot indicates that the City is keeping that tree under review for possible future removal. Trees marked with a blue “X” are scheduled for removal. Exact timing is unknown. Please keep this in mind as you walk around the community as their may also be coinciding sidewalk repairs as determined by the city.

Should a tree on your property be marked for removal and you would like a replacement you will need to contact the city of Columbus 311 (614 645 3111 or Columbus 311) to arrange.

Finally, if you have a tree in need of pruning due to low branches over sidewalks or a tree that is creating a hazard that needs to be removed, please contact the City of Columbus 311 (614 645 3111 or Columbus 311) to report – phone hours are M-F 8:00AM – 5:00PM. This is especially important with Trick or Treat coming up in a few weeks where more community members will be walking our sidewalks at night and the tree branches will be more difficult to see.

For more information about street trees please visit: https://www.columbus.gov/street-tree-faqs/

September 29, 2023

Park Closed Until Monday 10/2

Just a reminder that the work at the community park will be starting later today.

Please refrain from using the park surface and grounds during this time to allow the surface time to cure and dry.

Once completed the park will be closed until Monday 10/2. All caution tape will be removed at that time.

Thank you and have a wonderful weekend.

September 29, 2023September 29, 2023

VAT Social Committee Needs Your Help

Hello neighbors,

We hope everyone is having a great beginning of fall and looking forward to the fun that the change of weather brings. the VAT Social Committee is reaching out today to ask for your help.The Social Committee is funded solely by donations from homeowners. Last year community children hosted a popsicle/water sale during the annual garage sale and the Social Committee sold water at National Night Out to raise funds and solicit donations. Annual Assessments (ie Dues) are NOT allocated to the Social Committee. This is a committee of your neighbors and volunteers who work together to host events for our community.

Recently we hosted Kona Ice at the VAT Park for our 2023 block party. As is the standard with food trucks a minimum sales threshold must be met – if not, the host of the truck will be responsible for the difference. Last year, we had a great turn out and easily surpassed this threshold and were even able to secure a donation back to the Social Committee. However this year we were not able to meet this threshold and as a result the limited Social Committee funds we had were depleted and our Board Members personally paid for the remaining difference.

We kindly ask – would your household be willing to donate $5 (or more if you are willing/able) to help rebuild the Social Committee funds?

These funds are necessary to secure services like a North Pole representative, Easter supplies, and food trucks for community events. We have some supplies that we reuse year to year but there are still needs beyond this.

Neighbors have requested we host MORE events/food trucks however, without the generosity and participation of our neighbors this simply isn’t possible. Bookings of food trucks carry risk as the minimum sales requirements of these trucks can vary (starting at $500 and going up) and there is no guarantee of participation from the community. We have 275 households in our community, yet our social committee is between 5-10 people and often they are the ones donating to make these events possible.

Please, if you are able, consider a $5 donation to the VAT Social Committee. These funds are held completely apart from Board finances and managed directly. If you are able to donate, please reach out to the Board who will pass along your information to the Social Committee.

Thank you everyone for your time.

VAT Social Committee

September 27, 2023

Upcoming Park Closure

Please note that the VAT community park will be closed for a minimum of 48 hours later this week due to the sealing of the park playground surface. The exact date and timing is still to be determined as it is weather dependent. Caution tape and signage will be up to indicate the closure and residents should stay away from the grounds and treated surface while the sealing coat cures and dries.

Residents may resume using the park and grounds once all signage and caution tape has been removed.

Thank you for keeping our community and its park beautiful.