Life at the Lake is a wonderful experience. You will find people outside enjoying acres of open space, miles of trails, and kids playing in the parks. This page is dedicated to providing you with information on our common areas and services provided to the community.
Dog Waste Stations
Southshore maintains dog waste stations throughout the community. The stations are emptied and restocked by our third party landscaper on a weekly basis. If you notice a dog waste station that has been missed on the pickup schedule, or is overly full, please use our Report an Issue form to let us know.
Dog stations in the newer areas are installed by the developer and are temporarily serviced by a different landscaper.
If you would like to recommend a new location for a dog waste station, please complete the Report an Issue or contact the Metro District representative my.managementtrust.com/login Phone: 844.387.8785 hernan.buenfil@managementtrust.com
Fences
Southshore Metro District Maintained Common Area Fence
Southshore maintains fencing adjacent to common areas and open space. The fence staining is done on the outside of the fence and the top of the fence. Homeowners are responsible for re-staining the inside portion of Southshore maintained common area fencing, and are responsible for the entire upkeep and re-staining of fence that does not border a common area. Homeowners are allowed to re-stain common area fencing on the outside and top if they do not want to wait for Southshore to complete a specific area.
If you notice any common or open space fencing needing to be repaired, please Click Here.
Fence Stain Color
Approved fence stain color can be obtained at any Home Depot store.
- Lake, Hill and Senac areas use BEHR “Tugboat” - #DP-535 semi-transparent exterior wood stain
- Ridge and Mead areas use BEHR “Country Beige” - #760C-2 semi-transparent exterior wood stain
Do Not Attach Items or Modify a Southshore Maintained Fence
Residents and/or Homeowners are not allowed to modify or attached items to the Southshore maintained fence. The only exception is temporary holiday lighting, which must be attached using temporary means such as wreath hangers.
No nails, hooks, screws or other hardware may be attached to the Southshore maintained fence. If a resident and/or homeowners would like to install a gate, Design Review Committee (DRC) approval is required beforehand. For more information refer to the DRC page, Click Here.
Installing and Modifying Fencing
For fencing not backing common areas, homeowner are required to get DRC approval before installing or modifying existing fence. Homeowners should refer to the Design Guidelines Manual. Design Review Request can be found on the Design Review page, along with the application form for a new project. Fence specifications are found in the guidelines document. To view Design Review Guidelines, Click Here.
Irrigation
Report an Irrigation Issue (Metro District)
There are around 160 acres of irrigated landscaping in Southshore. If you notice a broken sprinkler, drip line or other irrigation issue in a common area please let us know, Click Here. Its important to provide precise locations to help control our repair costs. Please be specific in your requests and include:
- Location. The closest address is also helpful.
- Description. Let us know whether it’s a sprinkler head, a drip line, or other issue.
- Photo. Optional, helps the techs find the location quickly, especially if there’s a wide area view as well as close-up.
Often, we are able to send an irrigation technician to repair the issue on the same day, but this will vary given the landscapers staff schedules and replacement part inventory. Emergency after-hours service is only called in for large water leaks, as the cost of the service call is prohibitive.
- Description. Let us know whether it’s a sprinkler head, a drip line, or other issue.
- Photo. Optional, helps the techs find the location quickly, especially if there’s a wide area view as well as close-up.
Often, we are able to send an irrigation technician to repair the issue on the same day, but this will vary given the landscapers staff schedules and replacement part inventory. Emergency after-hours service is only called in for large water leaks, as the cost of the service call is prohibitive.
Irrigation Guide for Homeowners
Below are useful irrigation guides containing information specific to our community.
- Irrigation System Insight Guide
- Aurora Grass Replacement Incentive Program (GRIP)
- Water Wise Guide
- Aurora Landscape Manual
- Aurora Water-wise Landscape Rebate Manual
- Aurora Grass Replacement Incentive Program (GRIP)
- Water Wise Guide
- Aurora Landscape Manual
- Aurora Water-wise Landscape Rebate Manual
Water Conservation
The City of Aurora is leading the metro area in water conservation efforts. Southshore is looking into ways to reduce our water consumption. These efforts are costly and will be completed over an extended period of time. Stay tuned for more information as it comes available.
City of Aurora's Water Conservation Website Click Here.
City of Aurora's Water Conservation Website Click Here.
Native Grasses
One of the things that makes Colorado a uniquely attractive residential destination, is the beauty of its native landscapes. Most of our metropolitan areas are considered a zone 5 high mountain prairie, where certain plants and landscape features will grow much better than others, like the native grasslands that can be found in undeveloped areas.
Native grasses are used both to create a microcosm of Colorado’s beauty in our communities and conserve a precious natural resource – water. Due to the vastness of the Southshore landscape, native grasses are used in areas where other turf species are not practical, because of their maintenance requirements and water consumption needs. Like other landscape features, native grasses must be cared for properly to promote their growth, health, and appearance.
The advantage of utilizing native grasses in Southshore is that with a little help, they will grow in Colorado’s unique conditions. The most important aspect of developing and nurturing native is the maintenance program that follows the seeding and development stage. Many people look at a newly seeded native area and see an unkempt landscape. In reality, what you are seeing is an early stage of native grass development. These grasses are not meant to be watered or cut regularly, like bluegrass. They need to be allowed to progress and spread naturally, using strategic mowing, weeding and irrigation. Their proper maintenance is all about timing.
The advantage of utilizing native grasses in Southshore is that with a little help, they will grow in Colorado’s unique conditions. The most important aspect of developing and nurturing native is the maintenance program that follows the seeding and development stage. Many people look at a newly seeded native area and see an unkempt landscape. In reality, what you are seeing is an early stage of native grass development. These grasses are not meant to be watered or cut regularly, like bluegrass. They need to be allowed to progress and spread naturally, using strategic mowing, weeding and irrigation. Their proper maintenance is all about timing.
Time to establish: 3 to 7 years
After seeding and germination have occurred, bare spots are expected in the native grass. Native grass takes approximately 3-7 years to fill in. This process occurs by avoiding mowing the native grass until after it has dropped its seed into the bare spots.
‘Beauty band’ mowing
Southshore's maintenance policy to mow ‘beauty bands’ along common fences. This is done to manage wildlife, ensure access for fence or landscape maintenance and to provide a neat appearance. The band is one mower width (approximately 4 feet). When mowing occurs, all vegetation along the fence will be cut. This includes any flowers or plants that were installed by homeowners in the common area. Homeowners are not allowed to plant anything in the common areas.
Spray for weeds before mowing
Like mowing, there is also a proper time to weed, based on stage of development. Newer, or less full, native areas should never have pre-emergent (preventative herbicide applications to keep weeds that have not yet become visible from proliferating) applications performed. These treatments can kill native grasses, preventing growth and germination. Instead applications of post-emergent (controlling weeds that have already surfaced) weed control, 2-3 weeks before mowing, are best.
For newly seeded areas, and those that are still developing, less weed control is required. Unfortunately, this means that undesirable weeds will be present, and will have to be accepted while the native grass develops. Spot spraying of native weeds can be performed at this time, which targets weeds, and reduces the risk to desirable native. As native areas develop and improve, additional post-emergent applications can be performed. Generally this means two applications per year, again, performed in conjunction with mowing.
Older, full, established native can be treated with well-timed pre-emergent applications in the late spring, and can be coupled with a post emergent application in the mid to late summer.
Older, full, established native can be treated with well-timed pre-emergent applications in the late spring, and can be coupled with a post emergent application in the mid to late summer.
Irrigation is temporary
As with any plant or turf, appropriate irrigation and soil conditions conducive to plant establishment will improve their success. Adding amended soil when developing new native will significantly increase success, and watering at this stage is also important. Once native areas are established, watering can be reduced, and in many cases, eliminated. This can take 3 to 7 years, but once established the native will thrive on natural precipitation, and the cost of irrigating it, eliminated.
By treating native delicately and understanding what is needed for it to develop and thrive, communities throughout Colorado have enjoyed the tremendous beauty that was intended for them. Few will dispute the impressive appearance that well-established native grasses display on a breezy day. Like many things, patience is key, and gaining the commitment of the community to follow a well-defined maintenance program will offer the results that lead to an enjoyable open space filled with native grasses.
Outdoor and Street Lighting
Click here to report a street light outage.
Most of the street lights in Southshore are maintained by Xcel Energy. Street lights will have a 6 digit number (usually in yellow letters) marked on the pole.
Most of the street lights in Southshore are maintained by Xcel Energy. Street lights will have a 6 digit number (usually in yellow letters) marked on the pole.
To report a street light outage, use Xcel’s online form or call 1-800-960-6235 between the hours of 7:30am and 4:30pm Monday through Friday. You’ll need to enter location information.
Streetlight outages are repaired as quickly as possible, but sometimes the damage may be more extensive and take longer than a few days to fix. Damage to underground facilities, the availability of replacement parts, and weather and working conditions may require additional time for repairs to be completed. Providing accurate and detailed information when reporting a streetlight outage helps expedite the process.
Snow Removal
The Metro District will remove snow and ice in common areas and sidewalks when there is at least 2" of snow.
For areas in the Mead District, sidewalks and common areas are the responsibility of the homebuilders until such time as those areas are handed over to the community.
The City of Aurora is responsible for streets and Anchor Park. To learn more Click Here.
Snow Busters is an Aurora program designed to match volunteers with residents needing help to clear sidewalks. To get free assistance, you must be at least 60 years old or physically challenged, with a qualifying low-income level. To learn more Click Here.
Southshore Sidewalks and Common Areas Map
City of Aurora Snow Map
Trash
Trash pickup in the open areas is a community responsibility. The community’s landscaper, and homebuilder crews pick up trash as part of community maintenance, but if a resident sees trash near their home, regardless of fault, we hope the resident will help care for their community by picking up the trash found in common areas. Once or twice a year, a community trash clean-up is organized by volunteers to help the community clean up large items or areas that have accumulated trash over time.
Click here to report construction trash.
Click here to report construction trash.
Trees
Trees in Common Areas
Southshore Metro District maintains trees in the common areas, including irrigation. Landscaping decisions are made on an annual basis, according to budget and direction from the Board of Directors. This was previously maintained through the HOA.
Trees on Residential Property
Trees on resident property, including the tree lawn, are not maintained by Southshore, these are homeowner responsibility. The builder typically plants the initial trees, you may check with your builder warranty contact to see if a tree is under warranty.
Tree Lawn
The “tree lawn” is the strip of landscaping between the sidewalk and the street. Tree lawn maintenance is the responsibility of the homeowner for the tree lawn area adjacent to their home. The tree lawn is owned by the City of Aurora as part of the public right-of-way, but the homeowner is responsible for its upkeep. View the Design Guideline Manuals for more information on landscaping requirements for the tree lawn area, including the requirement for a deciduous tree every 30 linear feet.
Tree Requirements – Placement and Size
To modify your exterior landscaping, you must receive written approval from the Design Review Committee (DRC). Submit your plans on the Design Review Form, Click Here.
Tree requirements and landscaping rules can be found within the Design Guideline Manuals, Click Here.
Tree requirements and landscaping rules can be found within the Design Guideline Manuals, Click Here.
Tree Recommendations
Common trees found in and around Southshore include:
| Austrian Pine / Pinus Nigra | Kentucky Coffeetree / Gymnocladus Dioicus |
| Autumn Blaze Maple / Acer Freemanii | Limber Pine / Pinus Flexilis |
| Canada Red Chokecherry / Prunus Virginiana | Pinyon Pine / Pinus Edulis |
| Callery Pear / Pyrus Calleryana | Ponderosa Pine / Pinus Ponderosa |
| Colorado Spruce /Picea Pungens | Russian Hawthorn / Crataegus Ambigua |
| Downy Hawthorn / Crataegus Mollis | Vanderwolf’s Pyramid Pine / Pinus Flexilis |
| Ginnala Maple / Acer Ginnala | Western Catalpa / Catalpa Speciosa |
| Hackberry / Celtis Occidentalis |
Not Recommend Trees
- Aspen and Russian Olive Trees are not recommended as both trees are invasive and Aspen are prone to disease.
- Honey Locust Trees are not recommended as they fail to thrive in this location.
- Linden Trees are not recommended except in very large lots because of their extreme size at maturity.
- Honey Locust Trees are not recommended as they fail to thrive in this location.
- Linden Trees are not recommended except in very large lots because of their extreme size at maturity.
- Ash Trees are prohibited by the City of Aurora
Weeds
Our landscaper applies two applications of herbicide during a season. The first is typically in July with the second application occurring in the fall.
Once the product is dry, this poses no risk to humans or pets. It dries very quickly, especially in warm temperatures. Herbicide typically will not be oversprayed onto your property. For those who are very sensitive to odors, the smell should dissipate quickly.
The landscape service contract does not include hand-pulling of weeds in open space areas with the exception of planted flower beds. Once weeds have been chemically treated, it’s often beneficial to leave the root system in place to help mitigate soil erosion, the weeds will usually lie down once dead, or they can be clipped just above soil level.
To report a weed issue, Click Here.
To report a weed issue, Click Here.
