Our median, not average

University Hills has one of the widest entrances of any subdivision in Baton Rouge. And, it has the one of the oldest and most historic live oaks on public property in the city. The larger Centennial oak has been estimated to be nearly 300 years old. (In 1979 , it was designated "Legacy Oak" 0002 by the City-Parish Beautification Commission, meaning that it was the second oldest live oak on public property in East Baton Rouge.) The other oak, on the corner of Delgado and Tulane Drives, is approximately 200 years old.

So, what's been happening on the median lately? A lot, in fact.

Diagram of plantings in the front median. Click on the graphic to see a larger view.

Refurbished subdivision sign with the decorative bronze University Hills markers now visible

The first thing you notice is the new flowerbed on the median in the front of the subdivision. Also, the subdivision sign has been refurbished. Recently, six bollards were placed around the flowerbed to protect the bed and the little gem magnolias that border it. Earlier, someone had driven over the magnolia on the inbound side of Delgado Drive, bending the tree backwards. Luckily, Bob Benedict was able to straighten the magnolia; and it now can stand on its own.

And, so far, 11 new major trees have been planted on the two medians. Two little gem magnolias, an Athena elm, a red maple, a Nuttall or red oak, and four East Palatka holly trees have been added to the major foliage on the front median, which already contained the John LaPlante memorial live oak and the large Jason Dyess memorial Japanese magnolia. Two camellias were previously added to the back median in the first phase of the renovations.

Athena elm

Red maple

Nuttall or red oak

East Palatka holly trees and the memorial Japanese magnolia (left)

LaPlante memorial live oak

New camellias near the bus stop on the rear median

Little gem magnolias near flowerbed in the front of the median

This completes the major planting for the front median. Later, we'll add small trees and bushes to complement the larger trees there.

Last year, nearly 100 holly berry shrubs were planted around periphery of both medians and approximately 40 bollards were installed.

Other improvements you can't see readily are a new subterranean irrigation system on the front median and new irrigation for the flowerbed.

As happens with most projects, some items, such as the irrigation system have cost more than first estimated. Because adequate irrigation is essential to the maintenance and growth of these new trees, some of the Tree Fund donations went to cover those unanticipated expenses. Even with that, still further improvements will eventually have to be made to the irrigation to eliminate the need for labor-intensive and time-consuming manual watering of areas not now covered by the current system. Consequently, we will have to rely on dues to complete that part of the project.

We are indeed lucky to have such a spacious median with its graceful historic centennial oaks at the entrance to University Hills. Your civic association is working diligently to make certain that the entire median is well-kept and attractive for residents and visitors alike.

And, as real estate experts will attest, a beautiful entrance to a subdivision is a very important factor in increasing the value of that community's homes. And, University Hills median has treasures few other entrances can match.

See earlier stories on the progress of the median renovations below.

Your dues keep the median beautiful.

There are approximately 220 homes in University Hills. So far this year, 111 families have contributed.

The future of the median depends on you.

Your dues are being used and have been used for:

ü  mowing the median grass

ü  planting new flowers and maintaining the front flowerbed

ü  improving the median and flowerbed irrigation systems

ü  refurbishing the front sign

ü  installing protective bollards

ü  acquiring new trees and other plants

ü  paying fees for the hosting of the UHCA website.

If you haven't already paid your dues, go to the Dues page of this website. It's easy and simple. You can pay your dues by credit card, PayPal, or by check. Just go to the Dues page, for more information and to check top see if you've paid this years dues.

Pay your dues and watch your dues at work every time you enter or leave the subdivision.

Previously on
The Median. . .

The subdivision entrance before renovations

As you can see from the photo above, the entrance to the subdivision did not look very welcoming a few months ago. The foliage was overgrown and the flowerbed was practically nonexistent. But, that's all changed. The autumn phase of the renovation and beautification of the median began Sunday morning, October 24.

According to UHCA president Bob Benedict, "Your board has contracted with Antonio Simmons (Simmons and Sons) to completely overhaul a major portion of it. Tony is quite knowledgeable and comes highly recommended.

"Many thanks for your patience, especially to those of you whose special donations have made it possible to move forward."

Simmons and Sons will be responsible for the continued maintenance of the flowerbed.

Now that this phase of the renovation is complete, let us know what you think of it by emailing:
web@universityhills70808.net.

The entrance sign has been temporarily removed by UHCA vice-president Erick Swenson. He then gave it to association members Gina and Mark Schons for refurbishing. Erick is the chairman of the committee organizing the renovations.

Did you know about these bronze markers on the sides of the posts holding up the front sign? They've been mostly hidden by the azaleas surrounding the sign. Those plants will be trimmed back during the renovation. The untrimmed foliage made it difficult to see the sign for those approaching the subdivision.

Irrigation installed

UHCA president Bob Benedict inspects the installation of the new irrigation system for the median.

As you know, the Civic Association successfully raised $5000 to plant trees and to make other improvements to the Delgado Drive median.

In March 2010, the city-parish made the initial improvements to the median. Those included planting shrubs, installing bollards, and paving walkways along the edges of the median.

But, the city-parish workers were called away to other jobs before they could install the irrigation system. Then the weather became too hot for planting.

In October 2010, the city-parish installed the median irrigation and the weather became cooler, we were able to start planting.

Pop-up sprinklers were installed on these new irrigation pipes in the front median and then the pipes were covered with dirt. The new sprinkler system will also water the flowerbed in the front. The sprinklers in both the front and the back medians were put on timers.

Emergency parking only

The gravel pathways/shoulders lining the median are only for emergencies. According to city-parish officials, the aggregate shoulders are parts of the median; and the ordinance prohibiting parking on the medians applies to the aggregate as well. The purpose of the pathways is for a pedestrian walkway and as a safety cushion for driving. Occasionally, utility trucks may also park on the shoulder when repairing equipment. Other parking on the aggregate by residents defeats the purpose of the shoulder.

Please do not use the aggregate for long-term or overnight parking. Thanks.

The East Baton Rouge emergency notification service, formerly called Connect-CTY,  has changed. It is now part of "Red Stick Ready" and is being operated by a different company. "Ready Stick Ready" is coordinated by the Mayor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to provide critical information to help citizens prepare for, respond to, and recover from all emergency situations.

One of the ways that Office provides information is the Community Alert System-CAL, a state-of–the-art warning system designed to reach you at home, work, or school in an emergency. CAL will notify you with a pre-recorded telephone message in any emergency in which you have to take action.

If you had previously signed up for emergency notification telephone calls from Connect-CTY, you will need to sign up again with "Red Stick Ready." Click here to enter your contact information.

For more important information on "Ready Stick Ready," click here; and, for more about the East Baton Rouge Office of Homeland Security, click here. These sites contain valuable information on preparing for emergency situations.