Park it!

Welcome to the blog for residents of the Villas at Bella Sera! This is your place to check for information on happenings in our neighborhood; to get to know your neighbors; to find out when meetings are scheduled and what committees need your help.

First, a reminder: This Saturday, September 26,  is Movie Night in the Park. “Seabiscuit” is a great film, suitable for all audiences. You may have seen the flyers posted on the mailboxes. Maxine and Joyce were out in a golf cart, distributing flyers last weekend. Bring your own chair and something to drink and have a great time with your neighbors. Time: 7pm.  Typical of our homeowners, Joyce and Helen were out this morning, making sure the park was clean and tidy for tonight. In fact, I caught them with their bucket and broom as they finished up this morning!

Joyce and Helen are just some of the residents who take an active interest in what goes on here at the Villas.  You may have noticed that our parks have all been spiffed up in the last few weeks. Your Landscape Committee was hard at work, long before you saw any results. First, we had to make a plan and take it to the Villas HOA to get approval and funding for the project. The committee had to order the tables, benches and trash cans. We had to find contractors to pour the cement pads for the arbors, benches and tables. Terry Weinert has been terrific about finding prospective contractors and getting them to submit bids for the work.  Our committee, chaired by Terry, was composed of several members: Arlene Johns, Board President; Tom Biscotti, Board Vice President; Claudia Duarte, and yours truly, Susan Pasquini, committee secretary. We couldn't have done all the work, though, without help from others. The day the arbors went up, several homeowners staked out a spot in the shade of Ramona & Ernie McCowan's driveway to "supervise the work going on across the street.

Speaking of good times in the park, you may have noticed that our parks have been spruced up with benches, arbors, trees and flowers. The members of the Landscaping Committee developed designs for each of the parks and worked with landscapers to make the designs reality. We want the parks to be usable for everyone. You may notice that the Pianosa Park has a handicap-accessible sidewalk. The Cortona Park has an arbor at one end, but we left lots of open area for those touch football games and Frisbee throws. There are trash cans in each park area, and your neighbors have volunteered to be in charge of emptying them each week.

When the tables and benches arrived, Henry Pasquini, Ernie McCowan and Tom Biscotti put the tables together and placed them in the main park.

The corner park, facing the entrance gates, will be completed when Centex/Pulte hands over the final phase of the Villas to our homeowner association. That will happen soon after the final home is sold in the Villas.

We hope ALL residents will be able to enjoy the parks. If you want to "reserve" a park for a private party, make the request about a week ahead of time by emailing or calling Elizabeth Shellworth at Kocal Management. She will notify a Park Committee member who will meet with you before and after your event.