President’s Letter

By Mike Moran | Email

We really appreciate everyone that voted for Fox Point in the latest Readers Digest “Nicest Places in America” 2019 Award competition.  We are still anxiously awaiting the results but even to be the one neighborhood within The State of Illinois to be nominated is still an incredible honor.  It speaks volumes as to the Fox Point community, the wonderful people that makeup our neighborhood, and gorgeous surroundings that we call our home.

This is the time of the year when we start to wrap up the busy season for your Fox Point Homeowners Board.   We had another great season at the pool, a busy few months in our common ground area, a terrific (and continuing) tennis season, and many great summer events within Fox Point.  I thank everyone that assisted in even the smallest of ways in helping to manage our infrastructure and our events.  It is with the support of our generous neighbors that our community remains strong & full of very fun events.

This is also the time of year when the Board begins the process of planning the budget for the 2020 operating year.  We will work to maintain yet another very sound fiscal operating budget as well as continue to look at areas within our neighborhood where it is necessary to look at capitol expenditures as well. 

As most of you know, it takes many neighborhood volunteers to plan/execute our social events, oversee activities and projects and be a part of our 11-member FPHA Board. In January several of our very talented members’ terms will be ending and we will have 4 spots open. Please think about donating your time to the Fox Point community as either a board member or a volunteer for an event.  If you have an interest in running for the board, please contact me in the next couple of months as we work to recruit for the 2020.  Please help continuing to make Fox Point the great neighborhood that it is and consider donating your time.  Help us move Fox Point forward & to continue to make Fox Point one of the “Nicest Places in America.”

Happy Fall!!!

Social

By Stephanie Paine| Vice President | Email

Thanks to everyone who came out for the annual campout at the boat docks on August 17!  The Fleming, Paris and Dimucci families did another amazing job coordinating the event.  They grilled and served burgers and dogs, set up lawn games and music, and created a scavenger hunt.  We had 28 families in attendance.  Luckily the rain held off until the next morning.

2020 Board recruiting

Are you interested in taking on a bigger role in our neighborhood?  My three year term comes to an end this year and I’ll be rolling off the board.  If you are interested in running for the board and taking on social, please reach out to me to discuss!  I’ll still be involved in social events and will support you through the transition.

Fox Point Golf Outing – October 12, 2019

Sign up now for the Fox Point Golf Outing on October 12.  Join for 18 holes and dinner ($140/person), 9 holes and dinner ($100/person) or dinner only ($42/person).  Tim Twitchell is coordinating the outing this year and he’s looking for a few helpers the day of the event.  Please reach out to him at 847-436-0076 if you’d like to assist with the event!  Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080c48a8a92fa4fa7-foxpoint22

Civic Affairs

By Margaret Graff | Email

As many of you are aware, District 220’s Board of Education recently approved placing a $147MM referendum question on the Spring 2020 primary election ballot.

Of particular interest to Fox Point Homeowners is the fact that the referendum is ONLY including traffic circulation improvements at BHS. All elementary school items district-wide related to potential new driveways, roads, and parking lot expansions have been removed from the referendum (vs. the original referendum in the spring that failed)

A complete list of the project allocations that the March 17,2020 referendum would fund can be found here https://www.smore.com/n7mb4.  

Common Grounds

By Jay Roberts | Email

Fall is right around the corner!  Hope you all had a good summer.  The change in season will lead us to some new projects that hopefully will enhance the neighborhood.

The landscaping crew continues to do a good job in their first season.  The one area that I’m hoping to continue to push is the condition of some of the cul-de-sacs.  Some of them have lacked attention, especially with the weeds.  I hope this has been corrected moving forward.  By the end of September, they will also have the seasonal mums planted at the main entrances.

The cul-de-sac revitalization project will continue this year as well.  Last year we completed 3 and this year starting in the next few weeks we will complete 3 more.  I’m still working with my crew to figure out which 3 this year makes sense so stayed tuned for more details.  Again, the purpose of this project is to brighten some of those up and add some foliage where needed to bring more appeal to our neighborhood. 

Last month, one small project was completed.  The damaged boards on the fence along Lake Cook Road were repaired.  There were 5 or 6 that were chipped or had holes.

Also, just a friendly reminder.  The playground area should not be used as a place to build a firepit.  That area is for the kids and should be a safe place to play.  The landscaping crew cleaned that up last week.

As always, please let me know if you see something that needs attention or have any questions or concerns.

Lake

By David Jobes | Email

Shoreline buffer zones are starting to appear on our lake with aquatic plants like the Arrowhead springing up all over our shoreline as well as at the pond and creek.  Is this plant a good thing or a bad thing?  Should we have them?  Will they take over?

A little history to consider first. Every five years Lake Co. Dept of Health does a formal survey of Lake Louise.  They survey every lake over 20 acres in the county.  They do this to monitor the lakes and streams and provide recommendations to improve the water quality.  The last survey and report was completed in 2015 and is due again in 2020.  This survey collects data: water samples at various points in the lake, sediment is analyzed, depth readings are taken, shorelines are evaluated, the fish are counted and graded for health, etc.  It is a very in-depth analysis.  The Lake Committee has been following the recommendations in these reports.  The reports going back 10+ years have been very consistent in recommending buffer zones and establishing in-water plants (water lilies and arrowhead for example).  If anyone would like copies of these reports, go to https://lakecountyil.gov/2400/Lake-Reports.

Up until last year, our lake was essentially devoid of any in-water plants. The Arrowhead started to appear in 2018 and has increased in 2019.  The HOA did not plant the Arrowhead, it appeared naturally.  And yes, it is a very desirable plant for our lake.

Many homeowners probably want the same thing with a buffer zone.  You want it to do some good environmentally, but you don’t want it to be so tall that is blocks your view, and you want to have access directly to the water for boating, shore fishing etc.  You want it to be beautiful.  A buffer zone left alone for a few months can look messy and unkept – it needs maintenance.  Invasive species will take over if left unchecked.  A recommendation is to start small.  Start with a plan.   A few of us have started the process and are willing to help.  We can also point you to some good online information and local associations. The buffer zone concept applies for the creek and pond as well.

Pool

By Horace  Seely-Brown | Email

It pains me to say it, but as you read this, the Pool is now officially closed for the season!  (But look at the bright side, football season is upon us and there are high expectations for the Bears!)

As we have been communicating over the past year, with the closing of the pool, brings the start of the Pool House renovation project. We are slated to begin the work on October 1^st with the project being completed and ready to kick off the 2020 season. You will note a flurry of activity over the next few months and into the spring, and we will continue to keep the neighborhood updated on its progress. We will have heavy machinery coming in and out of the pool entrance so please be extra careful driving in and around this area in the months ahead.

While I will be seeing this project thru its entirety, my time on the board will be ending in January 2020. If you have any interest in running for the board, with a specific interest in being the next pool chair, please feel free to reach out to learn all that goes with the territory!

Last, if you have any comments/concerns or ideas for new programs in 2020, please let me know! We welcome the feedback both positive and negative!

Safety & Welfare

By Jeff Barnum| Email

Just a friendly reminder………the path that leads to Lines Elementary from Oak Ridge Circle is NOT a drop-off or pick-up area. There are multiple signs posted (by the Village/Police several years ago) and I encourage all neighbors to follow the rules.

Parking just past or just before the signs and walking your child/children to the path doesn’t really help the situation either. It merely defeats the purpose of why the signs are posted to discourage 20 cars buzzing around every morning and afternoon in the first place. All this really does is force the hand of the FPHA to request MORE signs further along the street from the Village.

Please refrain from using that path as a pick-up or drop-off and help keep our neighborhood safe. Not to mention, with school back in session, watch your speed through the neighborhood.

Tennis

By Christine Mickey | Email

The Fox Point tennis courts will be open through October depending on the weather.  Please continue to enjoy them this fall!

The annual Fox Point vs. Biltmore Country Club tennis tournament will be held on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6^th at 5:00 PM.  All tennis levels welcome!  We will start the event with cocktails and appetizers by the courts followed by several rounds of round robin tennis.  The evening will conclude with a buffet dinner on Biltmore’s outside patio.  

Please use this link to sign up by August 30^th:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080c48a8a92fa4fa7-foxpoint20 

See you on the courts!