News

SAMLARC’s landscape is the largest asset within the community, as it encompasses more than 300 acres of irrigated slopes, parkways, medians and parks. The makeup of these landscapes is comprised of roughly 50% turf grasses, with the remainder being ornamental plants and trees that align with the community’s color schemes. Due to many variables, the operational cost to maintain turf grass is trending upward. In an effort to reduce landscape operations around turf grass, SAMLARC is implementing a multi-phase Turf Conversion Program throughout the community. This phase of the Turf Conversion Program will take place on the planting strips (i.e., green areas between the sidewalk and curb) along the street of Altisima between Celeste and Altisima Park. Work will span July 6-August 25, 2023. Community managers of the affected areas have been notified by SAMLARC and the area will be clearly marked. SAMLARC’s Turf Conversion Program was developed by Mosaic Consulting Inc. and approved by the SAMLARC Board of Directors. This multi-phase program has already completed several sites in the community and is offset through funding from the Metropolitan Water District to reduce water use in passive areas. The program includes the removal of turf grass along Altisima Street, with replanting shortly after the removals. The updated plant palette will follow a simple landscape design and is consistent with the plans previously approved by the SAMLARC Landscape & Facilities Enhancement Committee and Board of Directors. In addition, water usage of these plants will be less than 50% of the current turf grass usage, and maintenance within this area can be reduced by approximately 66%. While the replanting phase of each project site will take place relatively quickly, the plants will take time to become acclimated to the soil and develop optimal coverage in the newly renovated areas. The spacing between these plants is necessary as they are low-growing ground cover. These plants take approximately two years to mature and will do most of their growing in the spring. For questions regarding the project, please contact Debbie Melberg, SAMLARC Operations Administrator, at debbie.melberg@fsresidential.com.