by Lorraine Masonheimer

The Castle Pines North Metro District Board of Directors recently voted to approve an $18,000 landscaping project in the Esperanza “S” curve open space.

The Board awarded the contract to Rainbow Landscape, the lowest of three bidders, to add 30 trees, 59 shrubs, bark mulch, edging, native grass seed and temporary irrigation to the open space. As owner of the open space, the Metro District agreed to pay two-thirds of the contract at $12,000 with Esperanza residents paying $6,000.

The Metro District will waive water tap fees for a three to five year period until the root systems are established. Esperanza residents have agreed to pay for the water and maintenance going forward. The board also gave approval for residents to install moss boulders, flagstone walks and a shade structure to the project.

Earlier this year, the community received approval and a $1,000 contribution from the Metro District to make landscape improvements outside the front entrance. Esperanza residents contributed more than $8,000 to the front entrance project, which was completed in late spring.

Esperanza is a gated community of 58 homes located off Monarch Boulevard at Esperanza Drive. For more information, please e-mail Charlie Fagan at .