Babcock Bulletin 9/10/22

— Saturday, September 17, 2022 —

COMMUNITY NEWS

Auxiliary Office Now Open to Serve Residents

TEMPORARY QUARTERS: We've moved our HOA office next door temporarily while we make repairs to our main office at 42911 Lake Babcock Drive. Our auxiliary office (on left in photo) is now open during regular business hours. For fastest service, please send us an email.

Our Temporary Location is Open During Regular Business Hours

Residents in need of in-person services are welcome to stop by our new auxiliary office adjacent to our main location at 42911 Lake Babcock Drive. The main office was closed for repairs Monday due to water damage.

Our auxiliary office is open during regular business hours for services such as the issuance of amenity cards. Of course, our Community Patrol officers are available 24/7 at 239.652.8000. Officers can arrange for the delivery of amenity cards to residents unable to visit our auxiliary office due to temporary accessibility limitations. Please call us for details.

You can reach the rest of our staff as usual by phone using the contact information below, or send us an email.

Email Us

Review of Trash, Recycling Guidelines Can Prevent Misunderstandings

On Monday, one of Ecologic's two trucks was down for maintenance. When that happens, the remaining truck alters its pickup route, resulting in arrival in some neighborhoods earlier than usual.

That's why it's important to place trash receptacles by the curbs by 6:30 a.m., as required. In some cases this week, trash was placed at the curb after Ecologic had already serviced the neighborhood, so it was not picked up.

Complicating things, according to Ecologic Operations Manager Anthony Marinacci, is the possibility of delays caused by construction materials blocking roadways. "There are certain areas in the community where if we don't get there early, we will be blocked off by vehicles and materials," he said.

If you have questions, please review the information packet you received when your containers were delivered. Note also that there is a two-week grace period for the pickup of extra trash; it is not an unlimited service. Click here for more information.

Ecologic Guidelines

Babcock Ranch Wildlife Expert Leads Nature Walks for Residents

EXPLORING THE COMMUNITY: Babcock Ranch Wildlife Mitigation Manager Christina Kontos leads residents on a nature walk earlier this summer. Photo by Matthew Shapton.

Meeting the (Wild) Neighbors

Babcock Ranch Environmental Mitigation Manager Christina Kontos offers quarterly nature walks on our trails and other wildlife-rich areas of the community, and you're invited!

The next one is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at Sunset Park. Registration is not required; just be at the Park at the appointed time, and bring your camera!

Wildlife Photo of the Week: Striped Mud Turtle

HATCHLING GETS A HELPING HAND: Resident Mary Frisbee stopped recently to assist this cute little guy to get across the parking lot at Sunset Lake Park.

Mud Turtle is Found Throughout Florida

A couple of weeks ago, Parkside resident Mary Frisbee noticed a tiny resident of Babcock Ranch making its way across the parking lot at Sunset Lake Park. "I stopped to help him so he wouldn’t get run over or stepped on," she said. "I hope he grows up quickly!" Her gesture — and photo — make it this week's winning entry in our Wildlife Photo of the Week contest.

"I love these little turtles — such a cool gem to find!" said Babcock Ranch Environmental Mitigation Manager Christina Kontos, who identified it as a striped mud turtle (Kinosternon baurii) hatchling. "This small, aquatic turtle only reaches about four inches in length, with a brown oval shell (carapace) with three yellow stripes that may or may not be visible, and a rust-colored lower shell, or plastron."

Christina said this freshwater species inhabits ponds and ditches throughout Florida and requires waters with low salinity. Its diet consists of insects, worms, snails, algae, seeds, and the remains of invertebrates.

Submit Your Photo

More About This Species

Founder's Day Fest 2022: Our Festive Kickoff to Fall

Mark Your Calendar for Family Fun!

Join us Saturday, Oct. 15, for our Founder's Day Fest 2022 at — you guessed it —Founder's Square! This will be our biggest event of the fall, celebrating five years of Babcock Ranch living with music, food and tons of family fun, including:

Pony rides
Climbing wall
Chili cook-off
Bounce houses
Mechanical bull
Lots of food and much more!

This event will be so big, that we're closing part of Lake Babcock Drive to accommodate the festivities. The fun runs from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Free, but please RSVP so we know how many to plan for.

RSVP (Please!)

COMMUNITY PATROL

READY TO SERVE: Patrol Operations Lieutenant Steve Barilar stands in front of one of our Community Patrol vehicles on Lake Babcock Drive. The officers of Babcock Ranch Community Patrol provide 24-hour vigilance and are always available to address residents' concerns.

Community Patrol Always Available

Hours: On patrol and available 24/7
Phone: 239.652.8000
Send email

RESIDENT EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Field House Tours: Additional Date Added

43281 Cypress Pkwy.

Thursday, Sept. 22.

Thursday, Sept. 22

Tuesday, Sept. 27

Sip N Pour

Tuesday, Sept. 20

6 – 8 p.m.

Cypress Lodge

Fee: $50

Registration Required

Pickleball & Pints

Saturday, Sept. 24

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Jack Peeples Park

Fee: $20

Registration Required

Brunch Around the World: USA

Saturday, Sept. 24

10 – 11:30 a.m.

Cypress Lodge

Fee: $12

Registration Required

Mixology Class

Wednesday, Oct. 5

6 – 7:30 p.m.

Cypress Lodge

Fee: $50

Registration Required

Mark Your Calendar:

10/1: Wildlife Show

10/4: Couch to 5K Kickoff Meeting

10/6: Walking Group – Every Tues/Thurs

10/15: Founder's Day Celebration

FOOD

Food Trucks

Fridays & Saturdays

5 – 9 p.m.

Founder's Square

Farmers Market

First and third Sunday of every month

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Founder's Square

Food Truck Schedule

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Free Healthy Life Classes

Babcock Ranch Residential Association offers a schedule of fitness classes in partnership with The Healthy Life Center. These classes are FREE to all residents. (Membership in HLC is NOT required.) Please see the updated schedule and program format for 2022.

Wednesdays, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. — Aqua

Please note that Monday classes have been suspended.

RSVPs are not required. Please email a member of the lifestyle team or a team member from the Healthy Life Center for additional information. All classes are at Cypress Lodge unless otherwise specified.

For more information on any of Lee Health's programs and events, click here.

Email Us for Details

Youth Soccer Registration Now Open

Registration is now underway for Stovi Stars fall soccer training camps for ages 3 – 18. Games and practices will be held from Sept. 18 through Nov. 19.

For details, click here, send an email, visit the Stovi Stars website or call 239.770.0699.

September Volunteer Opportunities

Eighty volunteers are needed at Founder's Square from 9 – 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 to help pack meals for Punta Gorda Rotary's Ukrainian Relief Project.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area in Alva are soliciting volunteers to assist with a reforestation project. Planning meeting Saturday, Sept. 24. Click below for details.