Community Projects
The SRHOA Board of Directors plans and budgets annually for community improvement as well as maintenance and repair projects. Aided by a professionally prepared Reserve Study that assesses community amenities every five years, the Board manages community assets to the highest standard possible to ensure longevity. The following list of projects is provided as an overview of the types of expenses incurred by the HOA in order to maintain community amenities. This list is not exhaustive, nor does it provide all project details. Residents may learn more about these and other projects by attending board meetings, reviewing board meeting minutes, or contacting the HOA Office or the SRHOA BOD.
In addition to consulting with professionals during the planning and execution of projects, the Board also seeks input from residents. The Board has conducted several resident surveys over the years. The responses to the surveys provide important feedback from Residents and we encourage participation in future outreach.
Street Lights
Sugarland Run has many street lamps. In 2007, the board began replacing the legacy gas lamps retrofitted with electric sockets, which were in disrepair. The electric circuits were not within conduit. This upgrade was extensive as horizontal drilling was required to install conduit and wiring according to current electrical code. The first version metal-halide bulb streetlamps were replaced by the manufacturer with LED fixtures in 2013. Today, the street lamp replacement project is complete. The new fixtures now utilize LED technology. This significantly reduces SRHOA energy consumption and cost to operate, however, there are still components of our system that require maintenance for the lights to work properly. Do not hesitate to report lights that are on during daylight hours and any streetlights not on at night to the Office. Each pole has a number affixed to it. Be sure to include the pole number when reporting issues to the Office. The improved electrical service and efficient, long lasting LED street lamps is a major improvement and cost savings for our community. The BOD has heard varying opinions from ownership on the lights and has considered viable options for adjusting bright lights in certain areas.
Recreational Trails
The community is fortunate to have approximately 20 miles of asphalt recreational trails meandering through it. These trails require ongoing maintenance. The board is always on the lookout for sections of trail that pose a hazard to residents due to broken or heaving asphalt. The board is working with a contractor who surveyed the network of trails. The BOD received the report results following core drilling and will consider options for replacement or repair in an organized manner, and as the budget allows.
Playgrounds
Our neighborhood includes tot lots/playgrounds. The playgrounds vary in age. Playgrounds require annual maintenance, from adding wood chips to replacing worn out parts. Unfortunately, some THOA tot lots were removed instead of repairing or replacing the equipment. This was the only available option to alleviate multiple hazards due to budget constraints.
Tennis and Basketball Courts
The tennis courts’ surface was replaced due to cracking/buckling on one side of one court. The new court surface includes Pickleball markings (in 2024, Pickleball markings are now on both courts). This surface should provide residents many more years of use before needing significant investment again. There is a cypher lock on the access door from the parking lot. Please see the office to return the tennis court key and receive your $10 deposit refund and acquire the current access code. The basketball court had been replaced around 2017 and should be good to go. Routine maintenance is required for each court. Should you have a concern or notice damage to the court or its benches, please notify the office.
Community Center and Office Building
Both the community center and office building require regular maintenance and upkeep. From plumbing to HVAC systems to new roofs, these buildings are routinely worked on to keep them in service to the community. Most work is of the repair and replace variety, however the board looks for opportunities to improve the facilities whenever possible. In 2016, the board added a covered patio to the rear of the community center to direct rainwater away from the building while also providing an ideal location to provide pool users some shade. The covered patio includes recessed lighting and a ceiling fan. In 2022, the covered patio has had the ceiling and entrance cement repaired and new tables were purchased. In 2024, another “Funbrella” was added to the pool deck close to the Swim Team shed.
Community Pool
The Sugarland Run pool is one of the largest pools in Loudoun County and is a valued amenity by many residents. The pool also requires ongoing service and repair, from life guards who maintain the water quality and cleanliness to the Pool management company who takes on larger repairs. Unexpected pool costs are kept to a minimum through regular upkeep, including reapplying a protective “white coat” finish to the concrete pool surface every five years. After the 2022 pool season, the pool’s drain was upgraded and several skimmer baskets were re-tiled. This work in addition to having a new pool vacuum and a new pump installed will have the 2023 season starting off in better shape that it has been in a long time. The old metal tray water fountain has been replaced with a new blue metal version. The lifeguard office also offers filtered water at a station just inside the door from the pool deck.
Streambank Erosion Control
As a large landowner in eastern Loudoun County, the HOA has a responsibility to keep its streams clean. Part of this includes reducing streambank erosion. Erosion allows excess soil to enter the watershed. To mitigate further streambank erosion, the board had installed gabion baskets along several sections of the stream. These wire and rock structures hold back the soil and slow the flow of stream water during storm events preventing further erosion. Installing these structures helps protect our land from washing away beneath our trees. The slower water keeps more soil in place instead of washing it into the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In 2021, the Board has adopted a Resolution to partner with Loudoun County to rehabilitate Willow Lake and the compact clay dam that creates it. The stream bank on the outflow side of the dam has been repaired now that Phase 1 is complete. The badly eroded hillside was mitigated with large rocks which slow the flow of water coming from the emergency spillway. The slope of the dam on the outfall side has been replanted with grass. No trees should grow on the dam as this would cause a weakness and require repairs. The lower field at the foot of the dam has been replanted with grass and native species to reduce erosion. The stormwater drain that also drains pool water at the close of the season has been replaced to drain water away from the foot of the compacted clay dam.
Trees
A wonderful asset of Sugarland Run are the plentiful mature oak and maple trees. Many of our trees have reached 100 feet tall. While these trees provide cooling shade, beauty, and homes for birds and other wildlife, they also require constant maintenance. Every year, the board works with an arborist to perform necessary tree work around the community. If you notice a tree that could be a potential hazard, do not hesitate to snap a picture or two and send an email to the Community Manager or Assistant Manager with its location at manager@srhoa.com or assistant@srhoa.com.
Willow Lake
Willow Lake is adjacent to the Community Center and pool. The HOA works with a lake management company to ensure the health of the lake is maintained. Additionally, in 2016, the HOA entered into an agreement with Loudoun County to permit the county to begin managing the lake for improved water quality, specifically for stormwater management as part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In 2021, the Board has adopted a Resolution to partner with Loudoun County to rehabilitate Willow Lake and the compact clay dam that creates it. This project will be accomplished in two Phases. Phase 1, now complete, rehabilitated the dam outfall (drainage side of the dam). Phase 2 will involve improving the dam by eliminating trees growing upon it; adjusting the slope of the shoreline; and removing excess sediment that has accumulated since 1971, restoring capacity to the lake and proper form to the lake bed.
Storm Drains
Having a lake receive neighborhood storm drainage mitigates the effect of a higher volume of runoff in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Know that anything that goes into the storm drains along our streets, pathways and fields will end up in the lake. Please do not discard cups, bottles, cigarette butts, or other trash on the ground or streets. Trash contributes to clogging the storm drain infrastructure. If you see trash, or yard waste on the ground that could be thrown away, consider picking it up and disposing of it in a nearby trash receptacle. Do not empty chemicals or paint in any storm drain.