President’s Letter

By Mike Moran | Email

Congratulations to our wonderful 2020 Fox Point graduates!!! We have an incredible group graduating this year from all levels of schooling during what is a very challenging time for all but especially those graduating and advancing to the next chapter in their lives.  I wish them strength and much luck as they move forward with their lives!!!

It is with much sadness that I announce the resignation of Geoff Ommen from the Fox Point Homeowners Board.  Geoff has served 9 ½ years in a wide variety of positions from President to Secretary to Lake Chairmen to Architectural Chairman.  In his long tenure on the board, he helped manage major capital projects including the replacement of our pool a few years ago and most recently our pool house renovation this past spring.  He has been an inspirational and extremely important member of the team as we have migrated through many different challenges within the past nine years.  I extend my heartfelt thanks for all of his outstanding efforts over the past decade and his total support of and dedication to Fox Point in every manner.  He will be missed but his efforts will not be forgotten.

With every end, there is the opportunity for new beginnings, and such is the case with our team.  Coming back for his second tour on the board is Bruce Kukowski.  We have appointed Bruce to complete Geoff’s term and to continue on the tradition of excellence.  We welcome him with open arms and look forward to his support.

We are still hoping to get the pool opened this year as we wait for feedback from the Illinois Department of Public Health.  We need their guidance and support to move forward with any pool activities for this year.  As soon as we know something definitive, we will let everyone know immediately.

This year is going to be a year of thinking outside the box.  We need to be creative in our approach to social activities and networking within our neighborhood.  I think the first of those monumental activities was the High School Graduation parade that was held the other day.  What a magical night for the graduates as well as all of the neighbors that were out supporting.  I have never seen so much positive feedback as we have received for this amazing event.  I hope it becomes a yearly event and that we built it bigger and better each year.

I hope everyone has a wonderful start to the summer. 

Social

By Rena Slovick | Email

New Year, New Social Chair

Happy Summer Fox Point! Although most of our “official” social activities were put on hold, I want to thank those who coordinated smaller scale private activities behind the scenes. The Kona Ice Truck has been making the rounds, there have been impromptu bike parades and outside birthday celebrations with social distancing.

Hopefully, everyone made it out to celebrate the Fox Point senior graduating class of 2020 on May 27th!! With the help of the Barrington Police Department and spearheaded by Margaret Graff, we were able to honor the accomplishments of our high school senior neighbors with a special send-off. Congratulations Class of 2020! 

Keep your eyes open for upcoming summer lake activities.  Continue to check the Fox Point Website Calendar, as well as, our other social forums (Nextdoor & Facebook) for the latest updates. 

Stay well!

Architecture

By Bruce Kukowski | Email

Hello neighbors,

As you may have heard, Geoff Ommen is retiring from the Fox Point board (after 9 years of dedicated service) and I was appointed to fill the remainder of his term as the Architecture Chair. It’s been a while since I was on the board but I’m not new to the neighborhood (23 years) and I have been a 10-year member of the Fox Point finance committee.  

Going forward, if you are planning any exterior remodeling projects or new construction, please be sure to take a look at the Architecture & Design page on the Fox Point website https://foxpointorg.wpengine.com/architecture-design-guidelines/ to determine if you will need to submit an architecture application to the Fox Point HOA board before you start any work. Our Fox Point website lists the various types of exterior remodeling and new construction projects that need HOA approval projects that do not need HOA approval and projects that require a permit from the Village of Barrington before you start any work. 

Remember, the board normally meets on the third Monday of each month, so please get ahold of me before the third Monday so we have enough time to meet, review your exterior remodeling or new construction plans, and the site before the board meeting.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me (847-420-8584) or email me btkukow@gmail.com.

Civic Affairs

By Margaret Graff | Email

Greetings all,

It has been a busy month for Civic Affairs!

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE CAR PARADE

I spearheaded the creation of a Fox Point High School Graduate Car Parade.  In concept, grassroots, simple, fun…..in reality a lot of planning and logistics with the FPHA Board, Police Dept, and assistance with Rena/FP Social.

We had 37 cars with 39 graduates from area high schools sign up to participate in the parade.  AND, there were countless neighbors young and old who participated from their lawns and porches by cheering on the graduates.

What a wonderful way to come together as a neighborhood to celebrate these students – just another example of why we should all be proud to live in Fox Point.

LINES PLAYGROUND

At the invitation of several homeowners on Old Mill Ct, I also attended a meeting with Lines school representatives to discuss District 220’s new Lines playground project from a construction and drainage standpoint. 

As background, the existing Lines playground does not have any drains underneath it – so all excess water drains on top of the ground into the drainage system. The District 220 team shared that significant time and investment has been made on the civil engineering aspects of the land and drainage needs in re-building the playground.

All drainage for the new playground will be designed to drain underground and will funnel into the existing storm sewer system – redirecting the flow into it and the detention area. It will also be grade toward the school and Atonement Church not Fox Point homes.

Additionally, there are no additional impervious surfaces are being added to the playground area. And drainage off of the blacktop area will actually be helped as it will be able to flow into the playground area storm sewer detention system.

The playground area itself will actually be shifting west a few feet left of its current location and the two play parcels will become one. The project will start in June and be completed by early August.

Common Grounds

By Jay Roberts | Email

Happy Summer everyone!

I hope everyone is safe and staying healthy!

I want to give you all the latest updates on the monument walls.  As I stated last month, we are moving forward with the project and will be starting soon.  Right now, we are waiting to hear from the Village as to whether we need a permit or not.  I’m expecting to hear back at any moment.  More than likely, we will start with the side of the wall that is on the roadside and then finish up on the homeowner’s side.  We will do this with all four walls.  This will give the homeowners extra time to trim up their landscape so that the vendor can have the necessary access.

Enjoy the nice weather!  I will continue to update our progress each month with this project.

Lake

By David Jobes | Email

Hello everyone,

June is finally here, and the weather has also warmed up. Since early spring, we conduct weekly reviews by an outside supplier of our lake to determine if any treatment is required to help with the algae blooms. With all of the rains, we have not had to do anything to date.

In mid-May, we had an outside agency shock the lake and the pond to help control the carp population. The shocking does not harm any fish, but does allow us to net and remove carp, and this year we captured and removed approximately 50.  As a reminder, carp are an invasive fish that basically hurts the overall desirable fish population and stirs up the sediment of the lake which prevents water plants from taking hold. All of which are necessary to help maintain a balanced healthy lake environment.

You may have also noticed we have relocated two picnic tables from the pool area to the lake marina area. These were originally purchased for use by the lake and allows more people to come down and enjoy the scenery. In fact, on Memorial Day weekend I was there and witnessed 3 bald eagles diving into the lake capturing fish, quite the sight to behold.

Come down and enjoy this beautiful asset of our community.

Pool

By Criss Chang | Email

Happy Summer Neighbors!  The school year is done, and warmer temps have finally arrived.  We are all having to cope with the uncertainty around the current global pandemic and as such the pools remain closed until further notice from the State of Illinois and IDPH.  Many questions around whether the pool will open have been floating around. 

What we do know is that there has not been a date established in Illinois for when pools will open.  Positive data trends will be an important factor in determining the readiness to open.  I am in regular contact with our pool management company, gathering information to consider what preparations would need to be in place to open the pool.  It is almost certain that there would be new restrictions and additional sanitary measures required.

On another note, the pool house renovation is essentially complete.  We will be scheduling an open house in June for residents to walk through and experience the fine work.  Stay tuned for the upcoming date and general updates.  As always, please reach out to me directly if you have any questions.  

Thanks, Criss

Tennis

By Mark Johnson | Email

Hi neighbors,

The weather is starting to warm up, so plenty of chances to get outside and be active and tennis continues to be a great option.

Just a couple brief, but positive updates for tennis.  We were able to open the tennis courts in early May due to Gov. Pritzker’s phase II rules that started at the beginning of May.  In order to keep the courts open, we recommended the abiding by the USTA Guidelines, which include among other elements, continuing to apply social distancing.

Even better news, with the plan to move into Phase III of Illinois’ reopening plan, we are on track to have uninterrupted tennis lessons.  While the deadline for June sign-ups was May 27th, I would recommend contacting Dana from First Serve, since participation this year is understandably lower due to summer uncertainty so they’ll likely make extra accommodations.

Lastly, we should have the windscreens installed over the next few weeks as weather and resource availability permits.

Have a great start to the summer!