Phase II now underway
Project Status: In progress
Completion planned for September 30, 2026
Rainier Gate Beautification Project, Phase II
As you may have noticed, many of our HOA plants have reached their fully mature size, resulting in them becoming too large for the area they were originally planted in.
This impacted the appearance of the specific plant and the entire surrounding bed; these plants have in many cases also impacted the irrigation by wrapping around heads and/or blocking coverage, resulting in inadequate irrigation and, in many cases, the plants’ health.
We especially noticed this at the Rainier entrance, and in 2025 we undertook and completed Phase I (the entrance side) of the Indian Summer HOA Rainier Gate Beautification Project.
In 2026 we decided to take on Phase II (the exit side of the Rainier Gate entrance). We decided we would combine the refresh with a new park bench procured and installed via a Lacey Neighborhood Grant we were successfully awarded.
Understanding the work, schedules and dedication required for Phase I, we decided to contract Phase II and not do it via in-house volunteers as we did in Phase I. (Again, a big thanks to Dan Weiss, Rich O’Connell, the 2025 Maintenance Committee and Kyle Schrader for their contribution to Phase I.)
Phase II started early in the year by forming a project team that interviewed and hired a landscape architect to prepare three concepts. These concepts were presented to your HOA Board to choose a final design.
The process continued over the year, with progress reported in the monthly Board meetings.
From the three concepts presented to the Board, one was chosen based on overall design, ease of construction and maintenance, and cost, and was formally approved at a recent Board meeting.
Project demolition started in early September and is planned to be completed September 30th.
To see the final design, obtain current status, or ask questions, please attend the monthly ISHOA meetings.
Sincerely,
Jeff Gochenour
Maintenance Committee Chair
City of Lacey Neighborhood Grant Program
Phase I Project Status: Completed
Rainier Gate Beautification Project, Phase I
Your ISHOA Maintenance Committee recently completed Phase I of the Indian Summer HOA Rainier Gate Beautification Project.
This Project was partially funded by a matching grant from the City of Lacey (Lacey Neighborhood Grant) which we were successful in obtaining.
Thanks go out to Dan Weiss who prepared and solicited the grant, Rich O’Connell for his knowledge and work (both members of the Maintenance Committee) and Kyle Schrader (a resident) for volunteering his tractor to help.
Thank you all for volunteering you time and materials to help keep Indian Summer the special place that it is.
We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone involved. Their efforts made this first project a success and set a strong foundation for future enhancements at our Rainier Gate entrance Please check the finished Project out, as well as, ISHOA.org for details of Phase I and future phases.
Rainier Gate Beautification Project, Phase I
Project Overview:
The goal of this project was to enhance and beautify the Rainier Road entrance to Indian Summer HOA and the adjacent Chambers Historical Park —a highly visible area near a local elementary school and a key gateway into Lacey.
Phase I focused on replacing minimal landscaping with a variety of eco-friendly, native plants and trees designed to offer year-round beauty and seasonal color.
This project marks the first phase of a planned improvement effort to revitalize the Rainier Gate entrance. Future work includes improvements to the South side entrance as well as adding bench for residents and children to use while waiting for their school bus.
Phase I was completed ahead of schedule and under budget, thanks in large part to the generous support of volunteers and donated resources.
Key contributors included:
- Dan Weiss (Maintenance Committee member) –Grant Coordinator
- Rich O’Connell (Maintenance Committee member) – retired landscape specialist, who provided the design and project coordination, and performed much of the labor required for site preparation and plant installation
- Kyle Schrader (ISHOA Resident) – Kyle donated the use of a tractor, which proved invaluable for moving soil and decorative rock
We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone involved. Their efforts made this first phase a success and set a strong foundation for future enhancements at our Rainier Gate entrance.
SWALES AND RETENTION POND COMPLIANCE WORK
YOUR DUES AT WORK!
The ISHOA Maintenance Committee recently completed requirements from Thurston County and the Department of Ecology to four (4) of its swales and two (2) of its retention ponds. These are integral parts of Indian Summer’s storm water system and maintaining compliance is mandated and not inexpensive. Four swale segments along Troon and the Prestwick Nature Trail area (a wetland) were cleaned out.
The job included removing the old sod, regrading each basin then replacing each with clean sod for $7,000. The two retention pond areas were cleaned out and returned to a safe water quality for $2,000.
What is a swale?
Swales are shallow, vegetated depressions along some of our neighborhood’s roads designed to manage stormwater runoff.
What is a retention pond?
A retention pond, also known as a retention basin or wet pond, is an artificial water body designed to permanently hold water and to manage stormwater runoff, improving water quality and preventing flooding.
These pictures show before and after work that was accomplished with oversight by our volunteer Maintenance Committee’s William McClanahan. Thanks!
