"Disgusting, Grandma! Look at all that poop. Is that all from coyotes?" asked Jordan timidly, his nose wrinkling in distaste as he pointed at an offensive mess on the trail. Simone, the Grandma in question and long-time resident of Sincuidados, studied the mess and replied, "Well, that's a mystery, but between you and me, I think it's our four-legged friends who walk on leashes, not the wild ones who howl at the moon."

Lone Mountain, a wonderland of adventure and magic, had become a bit too mucky of late. The winding paths, which should have been speckled with saguaros and the occasional rabbit scuttling away, were now dotted with something far less pleasant.

With the unfiltered honesty of a child, Jordan had brought to light an issue that many had whispered about but few had dared to address. The poop problem was turning a beloved hiking haven into something rather unmagical.

Simone, a woman of action with a love for gardening and epic sagas, decided the new year was time for a change. "You know, in every story, there's a bit of magic that fixes things up. I think it's time we found some of that here," she told Jordan.

Armed with nothing but determination and a bundle of brightly colored 'poop' bags, Simone began her mission. She handed out bags to fellow dog walkers with a smile and a gentle reminder: "Let's keep our trails magical, shall we?" The dog waste station at the beginning of the trail was running low on bags, indicating hikers had noticed it was there and were on board with cleaning up Lone Mountain.

The transformation wasn't instant, but soon, the trails began to return to their former glory. The mountain, with its silent wisdom, seemed to approve. The snakes came back, the flowers seemed brighter, and the air was once again filled with the sounds of nature, not the exclamations of disgusted grandkids.

In the end, Simone and Jordan's adventure on Lone Mountain became a tale told throughout Sincuidados. It was a story of a grandmother and her grandson, a mountain, and a community that came together to keep their slice of wonderland just that - wonderful.

So the next time you find yourself on Lone Mountain's trails, remember this story. Carry a magic bag or two, and be part of keeping the trails enchanting, just as they ought to be.

As we step into 2024, it's a good time to refresh our commitment to preserving the natural beauty of Sincuidados. Natural Area Open Space (NAOS) easements, a key feature of our community, are designed to protect our unique desert landscape. However, recent observations indicate a concerning trend where some residents have excessively cleared areas within their NAOS.

This over-clearing not only disrupts the delicate desert ecosystem but also contravenes the guidelines set by the City of Scottsdale and our HOA Board. It's important to remember that any changes to the natural environment within NAOS areas require prior approval. This includes understanding the prohibitions on removing native plant materials and the necessity of taking out invasive species to mitigate fire risks.

Moreover, re-vegetation in NAOS areas is a regulated activity. It's only permitted following disturbances and requires a plan approved by both the City and the DRC, emphasizing the use of native plant materials.

In line with these guidelines, permanent installations like lighting, irrigation systems, or gravel are not permitted in NAOS areas. Such measures are critical to maintaining the natural aesthetics and environmental integrity of Sincuidados. It's our collective duty to preserve the beauty and value of our properties while respecting the natural world.

For detailed guidelines and further information, homeowners are encouraged to refer to the City of Scottsdale’s Homeowner's Guide to Natural Area Open Spaces, available on the city website.

We hope these updates keep you in the loop as we welcome 2024. Stay tuned for more interesting developments, and as always, feel free to reach out with any thoughts, questions, or suggestions you may have.

Sincuidados Website

City of Scottsdale Brush and Bulk Collection

The Sincuidados Scoop - Rule Of Thumb

The Sincuidados Scoop - Sounding Off On A Sound Wall

January 2024