Patrolling the Pond
Mike Miller, VP Lake Lotawana Association
May is a transition month. Would-be graduates are getting ready to finish one life and start another. Cool, sometimes frigid mornings turn into warm, humid afternoons, and, of course, April showers bring May flowers. Coming through the April holidays, everything feels like it is in a state of renewal and transition. And what a difference a week makes! I was out of town for a week in the latter part of the month and came back to fully leafed trees, the proliferation of grassy weeds, and vibrant blooms of irises in my flower beds. May is certainly a month of transition for the Lake as well.
Sometimes transitions require getting info out to you quickly. If you are not already set up to receive text alerts from the Association, you should sign up this month. A NO WAKE ZONE alert for the entire lake recently came out after heavy rains and flooding. Remember this phrase: HIGH WATER = LOW SPEED. The reasons? Damage to docks, wakes over seawalls, and dangerous underwater electrical connections. HIGH WATER = LOW SPEED. Now, let’s transition back to some rules for review. This week’s topic? With everyone taking time to get things ready around the house and lake for the summer season, I thought we would go OFF WATER this week and review the use of Roads and the Parkway. For this topic, I recommend reviewing Sections IV, Subsections C and D, of the Lake Lotawana Lotawana Association 2026 Rules and Regulations.
Suffice it to say, if you think of doing ANY work outside your home, near the road, on the Parkway, or anywhere else this year, reread the rules, see if you need a permit, and see if what you want to do is even permitted. I also recommend doing what I do…call and ask if what you are planning needs a permit. I have done that three times in the last two years. One project needed a permit, two did not. It’s always better to check FIRST before doing any work on your property. Example: I plan to have some sprinkler heads raised on part of my lawn on the Parkway. I checked. I did need a permit BUT it was at no charge. Better safe than sorry. Here are a few highlights from Part IV, Subsections C & D:
- No person shall dispose of debris, such as leaves, vegetation, and hazardous liquids, on the Roads, Pathways, or any other Common Areas (3pts)
- No person shall discharge any substance, including water, onto the road in a fashion that damages road surfaces. (3pts). The Association may remove or repair the discharge and bill the property owner. (BTW this includes rocks from driveways).
- Any new driveways or parking pads need to be hard surface or open hard surface.
- No person shall operate pocket bikes with less than 50 cc, minibikes, or go carts on Association roads.
- All repairs of seawalls or retaining walls shall obtain approval of the Association.
- Lots of restrictions on using vehicles on the Parkway. See Subsection D, #6 for details.
- You must receive permission before removing any trees on the Parkway that are >1inch in diameter. (9pts.). If you are trimming trees on the Parkway, get your neighbors’ permission and the Association’s permission.
This is just a short list of the rules for some of our common areas (Roads and Parkway). Recommendation? Reread the rules, then check FIRST before doing any work. I plan on checking for what most would consider simple maintenance work. It’s just good practice before doing any work on or near common areas.
Transitions can be met with great anticipation. For those with soon-to-be graduates, you know just how excited they are to make the transition from school to their next chapter. We are coming up on the next highly anticipated chapter for our community: The Summer of 2026 at Lotawana in tandem with our nation’s 250th birthday celebration! It is sure to deliver more great memories with family and friends. See you on the Pond!
SAFER SEVEN QUIZ
This week’s Safer Seven quiz consists of only ONE QUESTION. Send your CORRECT answers to me at VP@lakelotawana.net and be placed in a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to one of our fine local eating establishments. Perfect in time for celebrating Memorial Day with friends and family! Here is the question:
- What are the hours for HOLIDAY RULES? When do they start and when do the end?
As you know hour rules are different on holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day). Hint: Review the Holiday Weekend Rules on page 46 of the Lake Lotawana Association 2026 Rules and Regulations https://lakelotawana.net/rules-and-regulations/
If more than 25 entries are received another $50 gift certificate will be added. Safer Seven is not a gambler but those are pretty good odds of winning! Good luck!