The Latest News
Prescribed Burn October 2024
ARNOLD — California State Parks plans to conduct prescribed burns in Calaveras Big Trees State Park (SP) with assistance from CAL FIRE, US Forest Service, and National Park Service. The treatments will cover approximately 1,300-acres in the South Grove area and an additional 247 acres in the vicinity of West Moran and Love Creek. Work may begin as soon as Oct. 21. All burning depends on weather and air quality conditions. If weather or vegetation conditions are not conducive for burning and smoke dispersal, State Parks will reschedule the treatment.
During the prescribed burning, visitors should expect park closures including the South Grove Trail, Beaver Creek area, Bradley Grove Trail, fire road around the South Grove, and the Walter W. Smith Memorial Parkway south of the Stanislaus River. Additional closures may be in place to accommodate operations in the other prescribed burn units. Closures will remain in effect until conditions favor reopening. Smoke will remain in the area for some time after active firing has stopped. For a current list of all park closures, visit parks.ca.gov/CalaverasBigTrees.
All prescribed burn units have been prepared for treatment. California State Parks, CAL FIRE, and contractors have spent several years preparing the South Grove Preserve for treatment. Crews have removed large fuels and masticated material along the fire road surrounding the South Grove to create a control line around the 1,300-acre unit. Additionally, crews have prepared large giant sequoias by removing heavy fuels and organic matter from their base to reduce the likelihood of negative impacts from fire.
The protection and stewardship of giant sequoia groves at Calaveras Big Tress SP has been a priority for State Parks since the park opened to the public in 1931. Prescribed burning is part of the department’s program for vegetation management to increase the resilience of the forest and promote new giant sequoia growth. Forest management and prescribed fire help restore and maintain a complex forest community, reduce hazardous fuel loads, improve wildlife habitat, restore nutrients to the soil, protect park infrastructure and reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire.
The planned prescribed burn at Calaveras Big Trees SP is funded by the State of California through the Wildfire and Forest Resiliency Program (WFRP). WFRP expands on critical land management that State Parks has been carrying out for decades and supports increasing the pace and scale of fuels treatments so that California’s State Park System can become an example of resilient ecosystems maintained through active stewardship.
Communities near Calaveras Big Trees SP, including Arnold, Dorrington, Big Trees Village, White Pines, Blue Lake Springs, and Love Creek may experience smoke from the burning operations. Prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than wildfires. The department plans and coordinates these burns with the Tuolumne County Air District to minimize the smoke in surrounding communities.
For more information about prescribed burns at Calaveras Big Trees SP, visit parks.ca.gov/BigTreesPrescribedFire. Subscribe to California State Parks News online at parks.ca.gov/newsroom or click here.
October 2024
Big Trees Village Community,
Thank you to the members who attended our annual meeting on August 31st, we appreciate you taking the time to join the board and staff.
Membership Campaign
One of the topics discussed is the fact we face falling membership levels, in 2024 our income fell by 5% compared to 2023. The income from membership dues is used to cover costs (payroll, insurance, professional fees etc.) and also to invest in improvements to the facilities to enhance the member/guest experience.
The board will launch a campaign to attempt to reverse this trend and as part of this we will share the data we have been capturing since 2016, stay tuned to learn more about this initiative.
New Board Members
The new board is now in place with David, Matt and Robert joining effective September 1st, thank you to Shawn and Sirena who concluded their terms. Our first meeting as a new board will take place later this month, all members are welcome to join so please reach out if you need the details for the Zoom call.
Upcoming Investments
In terms of investments, we need to make decisions about some large infrastructure items. To tackle the large projects, we will launch a capital campaign to raise funds to preserve our strong financial position and achieve our goals in this area of the Rec Center.
• The tennis court is showing signs of wear and tear with cracks in the playing surface that present a safety risk. The cost of replacing the surface is anticipated to be $50,000 to $70,000 depending on the number of layers we choose for the new surface.
• The wooden deck near the snack shack needs to be replaced, we have two estimates from local contractors which are in the region of $50,000.
Summer Successes
The Summer season was largely successful, over 3,000 people came to the pools and enjoyed the facilities. We did invest in new lawn furniture, a foosball table, a table tennis table, and made a major investment in the pool equipment for the big pool. Our effort in the area of recruitment was largely a success and we had very positive feedback from owners and renters throughout the 14 weeks the facility was open.
Thank you to all the staff, members, and guests for the support.
Best wishes, Anita, Kim, Megan, Mary Ann, Melissa, Daniel, David, Mark, Matt, Graham, Robert and Travis
June 2024
Big Trees State Park 2024 Prescribed Burn has begun
What’s happening?
The prescribed burn in Big Trees State Park has begun. They may move to burning in the evening because of the heat. You can call Amber Sprock at 209-540-6857. She handled communications for the park and welcomes your call.
California State Parks will be working with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to conduct a prescribed burn at Calaveras Big Trees State Park beginning as early as June 3, 2024. The burn will cover about 157 acres, lasting 3-5 days. Prescribed fires help to prevent forest fires and preserve our beautiful ecosystem.
What to expect
Those in Arnold, Dorrington, Big Trees Village, White Pines, Blue Lake Springs, and Love Creek will likely notice smoke during the burn and for a few days afterwards. You can also expect road closures during this time especially along W. Smith Parkway and the park’s eastern boundary near the lower part of Big Trees Village.
Visit the California State Parks website for more information.
May 2024
Pool is open this weekend!
The pool will be open this coming weekend to celebrate Memorial Day, come join in the fun and enjoy the updates that have been made to the Recreation Center.
Weekend Activities
Saturday
10am Member meeting
11:30 Lap swim
12:30 Gen swim
4:30 Intertube Waterpolo
Sunday
11:30 Lap swim
12:30 Gen swim
12:30 Pool BBQ
Monday
11:30 Lap swim
12:30 Gen swim
We're excited for you to see all the facility upgrades we've made this year.
Improvements:
• new modernized pool equipment
• new basketball backboards
• new ping pong table
• new lawn furniture (arriving this weekend!)
• new roof
Coming soon:
• disc golf course upgrade is yet to be completed as we wait for the final phase from the grant work, once this is done we will be upgrading the tee boxes and targets.
It will be a busy weekend. To avoid waiting to purchase your membership onsite please renew online.
March 2024
Big Trees Village Community,
We’d like to share some exciting updates ahead of the summer season.
Purchase your 2024 membership
2024 memberships are available to purchase on the website! Based on feedback the information supporting each of the options has been revised and we will be available to answer any questions in person at the membership meeting on Saturday, May 25th at the Rec Center. Ideally, if you have your unit and lot numbers this will make the renewal process easy with credit cards accepted. We are looking forward to a fun summer.
Welcome our new Rec Center Manager
We are pleased to announce we have hired a Recreation Center Manager for the summer, Megan Akins will be starting on site in the middle of May and working through Labor Day weekend. She is joining us from her home in Michigan and we hope you can stop by the pool and extend a warm BTV welcome to Megan.
Annual member volunteer day
Mark your calendar our annual member volunteer day will be held on Saturday, May 4th (weather permitting). We are looking for your help to get the Rec Center ready for the summer season. We ask that you sign up for specific activities. Lunch will be provided so a headcount will be needed. We’ll send out the sign up link in the coming weeks. Please bring gloves, rakes, shovels if you have them as there is a lot of clearing work needed to make the place more enjoyable.
Improvements in progress
Various improvements are in progress (new audio equipment, pool equipment modernization, new lawn furniture, new picnic tables, signage) and there is a project underway to provide shade in one of the areas of the lawn that is most exposed to the sun.
Summer calendar
We are putting the finishing touches on the calendar for the summer season. It will be published soon. We will be working hard in the coming weeks to try to accomplish as much as possible ahead of opening day on Friday, May 24th. If you can help please reach out, we will happily put you to work to make it a fun season.
Best wishes,
Anita, Kim, Melissa, Sirena, Casey, Daniel, Graham, Shawn & Travis
February 2024
Big Trees Village Community,
We're busy gearing up for summer! Read on for updates on hiring, improvements, and volunteer workday opportunities.
Current job openings
Recruitment continues to be our number one priority and at present the position of Summer Recreation Center Manager remains unfilled, a posting has been made on Coolworks which is a job site for seasonal employers like the Association.
We will also be attending local job fairs in the coming weeks. Please help spread the word and help us to get this key position filled for the season!
We also need lifeguards, the Association will reimburse the cost of the lifeguard certification if they work 10 shifts as a lifeguard at the pool.
Volunteer workdays
We are planning volunteer work days in April and/or May. The goal will be to help get the property ready for the Summer season. Lunch will be provided as part of the day. We will send out information via email closer to the date with a link to sign up. One work activity will include preparing the Snack Bar for the annual inspection by Calaveras County that allows us to serve food.
Disc Golf course improvements
A team of employees has been lined up to overhaul the Disc Golf course in April, this will include new tee boxes, holes, and spreading wood chips across the course. Some of the work might involve removing the felled trees on the course although this will depend on the timing of the removal work that is part of the grant from the State. Sections of the course will be closed when the team is working on that specific area so please be advised that caution tape and signage will be up during the month.
Brand new basketball backboards and hoops
New basketball backboards and hoops are being ordered, we will be looking to get help with the installation which will be in either April or May so if you like playing hoops and can help please email us.
Best wishes,
Anita, Kim, Melissa, Sirena, Casey, Daniel, Graham, Shawn & Travis
AT&T’s Proposal to Stop Servicing Phone Landlines
BTVPOA has heard from members who use landlines in BTV that AT&T is asking for a change in the regulations from the CPUC so they no longer have to support landline phone service. The following is taken from the AT&T notice:
“AT&T’s application is subject to approval by the CPUC. Multiple parties oppose this application. The Commission will evaluate the evidence from all parties, as well as public input, before deciding whether to approve the application.”
Options to provide feedback:
Public Participation Hearings in February and March
Submit comments in writing or call:
CPUC Public Advisor’s Office
Email-Public advisor@cpuc.ca.gov
Call (866) 849-8390
Reference Application 23-03-003 in your communications
You can also contact your elected representatives:
Calaveras County District 3 Supervisor - Martin Huberty (209) 286-9007
State Assemblyperson - Jim Patterson (916) 319-2008
State Senator - Marie Alvarado-Gil (916) 651-4004
January 2024
Big Trees Village Community,
Wishing you a Happy New Year and all the best for 2024.
Progress on the hiring front
We are pleased to share that our recent President Anita Vanegas has taken the position of Office Manager. A former lifeguard Dante Bullara has accepted our offer to be the Recreation Coordinator for the summer season and Mary Ann Franscioni will be returning to lead water exercise and host the popular Pickleball clinics. Mark Mehlert will also be returning at the front gate to help members and guests with questions, this is a key role and we are pleased he will be back for the coming season.
Remaining job opportunities
Recruitment remains our number one priority but hiring in the local area continues to be challenging. At present the position of Summer Recreation Center Manager remains open, finding someone to fill this role is important to avoid having to rely on volunteers to run the pool area during the season. We are offering a competitive hourly rate plus either accommodation (for out-of-area candidates) or a mileage reimbursement (for local candidates). If you know someone who might be interested please share the hiring information on our website or phone number 209-795-1971 with them.
We need lifeguards, the Association will reimburse the cost of the lifeguard certification if they work 10 shifts as a lifeguard at the pool.
Pool equipment updated and replaced
The Board of Directors approved the budget in December and has given the green light to replace aging pool equipment in the coming weeks, this will include a new filtration pump for the big pool. Our vendor will be onsite on in January to conduct a full site assessment and provide suggestions on other equipment that we should upgrade or replace.
Membership fees unchanged
The annual membership fees remain unchanged for 2024, we continue to have a strong balance sheet and the budget includes improvements to the facilities in the months ahead.
Tree and facility update
A total of 81 trees were felled at the Recreation Center in November as part of the forest fuel reduction grant. We will be working in the spring with the vendor to remove undergrowth and tidy up the facility.
Volunteers will be needed
There is a plan to hold Volunteer Workdays (weather permitting) in April and May to enhance the disc golf course, tennis and bocce courts. Lunch will be provided and this is a good opportunity to help the Association and meet other property owners.
Best wishes,
Anita, Kim, Melissa, Sirena, Casey, Daniel, Graham, Shawn & Travis