Residents need to be aware that maintenance of the swale (at the proper elevation to allow proper flow) is required on a regular basis (just like mowing the grass). Pursuant to the Covenants and Design Guidelines, all property owners are required to maintain their swale for proper drainage. Following are guidelines that will help you understand your responsibility.
- A properly constructed swale shall have a sodded (maximum 3 to 1 if possible) slope, a 8”- 12” bare trench (see photo 1). As an option, the trench can be filled in with rock and flanked by 1”x4” wood strips to hold the channel in place (see photo 2). A fully grassed swale is shown in photo 3.
- Swales must be mowed on a regular basis and the trench must be cleared of any vegetation or silting in this area. This will keep the drainage flowing and if not done, will fill up and hold water in your neighbor’s yard. The bottom of the swale should be maintained from the bottom of the culvert upstream, to the bottom of the culvert downstream for proper flow.
- No plantings of any kind is allowed in the street right of ways. This includes lilies near the headwalls. Stones can be used for appearance, but we have recently found that leaving the stones out makes it easier for maintenance as time goes by.
These photos show how a properly constructed and maintained swale should be (again, the rocks are optional and easier to maintain without). For your good and the good of your fellow neighbors, please adhere to these guidelines. If not followed, you will receive one notice to correct and if not, the Association will sanction you for failure to comply and may correct the problem at the owner’s expense.
Please feel free to Contact Us with any additional information you may need or suggestions you would like to make.
You can reach the Homeowners Association representative by calling 504-364-1370 or via e-mail at parkshomeowners@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you in the future!
