Tidbit Tuesdays - Removing Sidewalk Trip Hazards

Here at The Retreat, we are always looking for small improvements that can be made to the community. This post will detail the process that resulted in severe trip hazards being removed from the community sidewalks.

Over time, tree roots and ground settling cause sidewalks to become uneven and produce trip hazards. We had several severe trip hazards around the community, and our maintenance committee worked with the board of directors to replace these sidewalk sections.

First, sections that were significantly raised, causing a severe trip hazard, were identified (approximately a two inch raise between sidewalk concrete slabs). Then, bids were sought for the replacement.

Now this may seem like a simple decision. However, there are a couple of options for sidewalk repairs. You can remove the slab completely and pour a new slab of concrete (our eventual choice) or you can have the concrete ground down to remove the hazard. Grinding is a cheaper option, but the slab has visible marks from the work, has reduced strength because of the removed thickness, and doesn't attempt to correct the underlying problem (removing any uplifting roots underneath). While more expensive presently, it was decided to completely replace the slabs, to prevent future repairs at these locations in the near future.

Once this was decided, bids were sought and a company hired to do the replacement. You can see in the above pictures of the repair process in front of Building 800, where one of the worst hazards was located. The board would like to thank everyone for complying with the parking restrictions around these work areas during this process, and hope you enjoy the safer sidewalks around the community. 

Tidbit Tuesdays - Alligator and Snake Safety

 On Thursday, the HOA welcomed Sam from the Department of Natural Resources to discuss living with our natural neighbors. We had a wonderful, interactive crowd and thank everyone for attending. Here is a little review for residents who were not able to attend. Let us first start with our dear friends, the alligators.

Alligators

There are no known human fatalities due to alligator attacks in South Carolina...ever. The majority of humans attacked by alligators were actively disturbing (poking and prodding) the alligator, and the alligator responded. Hissing is a defense mechanism for alligators if you are getting too close, but they will not attack unprovoked.

A long alligator is an old alligator. A twelve foot alligator can be anywhere from 50-80 years old. In the spring, male alligators move around significantly, especially at night, looking for mates. If you find an alligator on the move, leave it alone and it should move on in about 30 minutes. They naturally freeze when threatened, so they have to calm down to leave.

Why do alligators live in our ponds?

Our retention ponds are perfect "bed and breakfasts" for alligators. Shallow ponds warm up quickly in the spring allowing the alligator to warm up and digest food. Speaking of food, turtles are a major food source for alligators. Unfortunately, goslings and ducklings are easy meals for alligators. However, you have to remember this is all part of nature and to not attack the alligator for eating another wild creature. 

How to be safe around alligators

Assume that any pond in the low country has an alligator in it. Patrol your pets and children around ponds, and do not allow them to approach the water's edge. Alligators kill by drowning their prey. While any alligator can be euthanized for being a nuisance, only gators greater than 6 feet long really have the physical capabilities of taking down a larger animal (dog, etc). Unfortunately, relocating an alligator is not an acceptable option because they return directly to their previous location as soon as they are released.

Snakes

Our conversation then transitioned to snakes. The Retreat has a variety of snakes that especially like to move around near dusk. While the best idea is to give the snake enough space and go around, there is a general rule of thumb for identifying venomous snakes vs. non-venomous snakes. 

Round headed snakes are non-venomous while snakes that have a wide, flattened head are venomous. Fairly simple, right?

What about Coral (venomous) and Scarlet King (non-venomous) snakes? Both have color combinations of black, red and yellow. But the order is key to quickly identifying the venomous snake. "Red and yellow kill a fellow" is a nice rhyme to remember which one is the venomous Coral snake (pictured right).  Can you see that the coral snake has a "flatter head" as well? 

Do you know of any other educational seminars that are available to speak at The Retreat?  If so, mention it in the comments section in the blog or contact Jen at CMG.

Tidbit Tuesdays - Palm Tree Pruning and Alligator Talk

First, please remember the Department of Natural Resources will be here Thursday, June 19th at 5:00 pm in the clubhouse to present "How to Co-exist with Alligators". This is a great opportunity to better understand our cold-blooded neighbors who share this community with us. 

Palm Tree Pruning

 

 The Retreat has many palm trees in the community, which produce new branches, or fronds, each year. The older fronds die away but do not fall off normally, resulting in the bushy appearance you see above. The main reasons for pruning palm trees are 1) for aesthetics by removing these dead fronds and 2) preventing any of these dead fronds from falling unexpectedly. The HOA is currently pruning all the palms in the community. 

Why now? Well, there is a third reason to prune palm trees. Some species of palms produce fruits that can be messy. By timing the pruning to just after these fruit branches emerge, we can limit the debris from these plants without harming the plant itself.

See what a difference the pruning does for the trees? If you would like more information about pruning palm trees see this great University of Florida article.

Thank you, Karen, for the great before and after photos!  What do you think about the palms? Don't they look nice?
 

Tidbit Tuesdays - Folly Beach Replenishment

The Army Corps of Engineers is currently working to replenish Folly Beach and hopefully will have it completed by the 4th of July weekend. If interested, check out the documents from the Corps detailing the project. The replenishment was started on the east end of the island and the crew is working their way to the county park end.

This is definitely an interesting sight for your monster truck crazed youngster (or young at heart)! Thank you Diana B. for the great pictures!

Tidbit Tuesdays - Shark Teeth at Folly Beach

Susie D. in building 400 proves you're never to old to find your very first sharks tooth!  She was so excited to say the least.  As she said, "I can't whine anymore about never finding a sharks tooth!!" 
Photos by Diana Baugus
 

Did you know that the shark teeth you find on the beach are actually fossils? Check out this blog post for more information about finding fossilized shark teeth at the beach.

Do you know of any great spots around Charleston to find shark teeth? Let us know!