Northridge Parkway Subdivision Green Space
Fun Facts about our subdivision
The Northridge Parkway community is located on the north side of Ames, Iowa west of George Washington Carver road.
The Northridge Parkway subdivision consists of 18 additions that total 515.614 “raw” acres.
There are a total of 414 homes that comprise 475.211 acres.
There are 45 parcels of land that comprise the common green space areas for a total of 22.5 acres or 982,578 square feet.
The northern green spaces have 4 ponds with stream beds that total over 32,000 square feet. The ponds are named Buck (8,000sf area), Roseman (2,000sf area), Cattail (5,000sf area) and Monet (5,000sf area).
There are five bridges that cross over the stream beds in the northern green spaces. The bridges are named Buck, Roseman, Story Book, Cattail, Monet.
The subdivision has 78 segments of walking paths that are 4.4 miles long (23,232 feet) for a total of 150,066 square feet or 16,674 square yards.
The city owned Moore Memorial Park is located just south of the subdivision at the end of Northridge Parkway street.
Green Space Information
Part of the unique appeal of Northridge is the system of green space areas and walkways within our development.
1. Walkways:
Our system of internal green space walkways provides a place for pleasant and safe walking, skating and hiking.
2. Buffer:
Green space can provide a buffer zone between residential areas and highways, or other residential areas to decrease noise and increase privacy.
3. Lower maintenance:
Smaller residential lots mean less mowing and yard maintenance for homeowners, but we can still use the park-like green space nearby for recreation and visual enjoyment
4. Safer streets:
Traditional checkerboard developments have straight streets which encourage unsafe automobile speeds in residential areas. Curved residential streets encourage lower speeds, making our neighborhoods safer places for children at play. Another result of curved streets is green space areas between streets.
5. Better drainage:
Several green space areas have been contoured to slow and direct the runoff from heavy storms, thereby decreasing the chance of property damage in flood years.
6. Enhanced property values:
Trees in a natural setting enhance property values. Mature plantings in green space areas will extend the beauty of the trees along the ridge down into the development over time. These plantings will provide continuity between neighborhoods and will enhance future property values.
Suggestions for Your Own Residential Green Space
1. Landscape your yard so that it coordinates with nearby residential and green space plantings.
2. The city of Ames requires that you get permission from the city before planting in the street side right of way. The right of way is the same setback from the road even if your lot has no sidewalk.
3. Since our utility cables are buried, call to have your utilities located before planting trees.
4. Arrange plantings so drivers have a clear view at corners. The city planning office can provide details.
5. A ‘green’ fence is preferable to a wire or a wooden fence. Fences require maintenance and provide only limited visual blockage. Privacy is sometimes better achieved by a staggered grouping of several shrubs or trees rather than an ‘in line’ planting which limits observation from only one viewpoint.
6. Give your plantings space to mature. Check the expected mature size of your plant and leave plenty of space for it to grow without the need for costly pruning to keep it in bounds.
7. Check with Story County Cooperative Extension for recommended species for our hardiness zone and for your chosen location.
Enjoying and Caring for Our Green Space Areas
1. Use and enjoy the walkways and green space areas in Northridge. It is a good place for children to play and to meet your neighbors.
2. Help keep green space areas clean. Report any problems to the Homeowners’ Association Board or the Green Space Committee members.
3. Dispose of leaves in your yard properly. Do not blow leaves into the street (City of Ames rules) or the green spaces. This could damage the grass or blow into another neighbors yard making them angry (this has happened).
4. Know where your property ends and commonly owned green space begins. Easements bordering walkways may be different from one addition to another.
5. Water any new association trees and sod in your adjacent green space area.
6. Pick up after your dog! THIS IS ONLY COMMON COURTESY TO YOUR NEIGHBORS!!
7. The Northridge Ponds are attractive areas for summer picnics or quiet meditation. They are, however, over six feet deep in many locations and could become serious threats for small children. Parents are required to supervise and accompany their children on all visits to the ponds, winter or summer.
Rules of the Green Spaces
Do not plant or construct anything on commonly owned green space areas. Putting gardens, trees, shrubs, etc. or fencing on common areas is prohibited.
Northridge is set up to be an open area with lots of paths and open green space. We do not recommend fences. If you feel that you must have a fence it is required that you get approval from the Northridge Association Board.
You may apply to the Homeowners’ Association Board for permission to plant in the common green space. Your request will be evaluated by the Green Space Committee and may be approved if it fits in with the scheme developed by the landscape architect, and does not interfere with others’ enjoyment of the green space.
The cul-de-sacs are not association land, however an agreement between the city of Ames and the subdivision developers makes the HOA responsible for the reconstruction and maintenance of the cul-de-sacs.
Homeowners and their family members shall not make physical changes to the pond or surrounding area without written approval of the Association. This includes adding, removing, or damaging landscaping features including grass, plants, bushes, or trees, stones, blocks or bridges, or signs, or aerator pumps.
No dumping of homeowner garden waste, yard waste, branches or flowerpots is allowed in any greenspace or pond.
