To keep owners informed about B&G-Grounds activity a new Newsletter will be periodically updated on the OLCA Website.
Published: May 4, 2026 to: Buildings & Grounds
This schedule shows the number of times each landscaping service is performed per month*.
| Service | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | Totals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Clean-up | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | Sod clumps replace/remove, rake, blow |
| Mowing Turf/Grass Areas | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 24 | – |
| Trim & Shape Bushes/Hedges | – | – | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | – | 2 | – |
| Turf/Grass Herbicide | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | – | 3 | Keep pets off grass on those days |
| Turf/Grass Fertilization | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | 1 | 1 | – | 4 | – |
| Curb/Sidewalk Edging | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | – |
| De-weeding Of Beds | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | – | 24 | – |
| Fall Clean-up | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 1 | 2 | Rake, cut, blow |
| Gypsum Application | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 1 | Prevents grass edge burn from salt |
*Does not include separately contracted items like wood chips/mulch and bed edging. Dates can vary based on weather conditions.
Published: April 28, 2026 to: Buildings & Grounds
You may have noticed circular fences growing around our newly planted trees. And you may have asked yourself, why are those things there?
B&G-Grounds, in consultation with MMSD, has determined that we need to protect young trees from animal damage. Specifically, the fencing keeps deer from eating the leaves and rubbing the trunk, and rodents from eating the bark.
In 2025 we installed trees with no fencing with the hope that our local deer and rabbit population would find more attractive food to eat. They didn’t! Instead these animals zeroed in on our new trees.
As we plant additional trees you will see our B&G volunteers erecting fences soon after the trees are in the ground. We expect to keep fences on trees for several years, until they are large and strong enough to withstand animal nibbling.
B&G-Grounds is also assessing the use of flexible tubes that go over the lower portion of the trunk. These tubes protect trees from rodents and deer rubbing after fencing has been removed.
If you have questions on this initiative, or anything else related to landscaping at Overlook Lakes please email B&G-Grounds.
Published: April 16, 2026 to: Buildings & Grounds
Below is the list to-date of shrubs we plan to plant spring 2026. Most of these locations were identified in 2025. A few, such as the ravine area, were identified in winter 2026.
B&G-Grounds is sending this list to all owners so everyone is aware of our plans, so owners can ask questions or present concerns before planting, and to ensure we are communicating how we spend your HOA dollars. OLCA volunteers will be planting these 26 shrubs so the total cost is very reasonable.
All selected shrubs are Wisconsin native species, adapted to our environment and home to many animals including butterflies, birds and bees. Shrubs have also been selected to be as deer resilient as possible. However, in some cases we might place a circular fence around a shrub to ensure deer cannot nibble. Shrubs are also effective at keeping buckthorn from taking a hold. Some of these shrubs are in our complex now and some are new ones we are trying out.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact B&G-Grounds () by April 24, 2026. We hope to start planting the following week.
Help Needed! If you are interested in helping plant or being an ongoing waterer, please email B&G-Grounds ()
| Qty | Item | Location | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Red currants Ribes species | Large garden area center of complex | Conifers were removed many years ago but this area was never replanted. |
| 4 | Common Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius | Large garden area center of complex | Conifers were removed many years ago but this area was never replanted. |
| 1 | Staghorn sumac Rhus typhina | Large garden area center of complex | Conifers were removed many years ago but this area was never replanted. |
| 3 | Scarlet Elderberry Sambucus pubens | Along bldg 34 on the edge of the ravine where buckthorn was removed. Closest address is 8876 Woodbridge | Buckthorn will sprout in the area if we don’t plant something. Birds love this species and it will provide a nice green view from the drive and road. |
| 1 | Shrubby St John’s wort Hypericum prolificum | West of bldg 25 along private property fence. Closest addresses are 8907/8909 Woodbridge | This is a replacement for a dogwood shrub that deer consumed in 2025. Shrubby St John’s wort is more deer resistant. |
| 3 | Filbert/hazelnut Corylus americana | North, behind bldg 38 adjacent to the sidewalk on top of a short boulder wall. Closest address is 8774 Woodbridge | These are replacements for dying and dead viburnums at that location. |
| 4 | Dwarf Shrub Honeysuckle Diervilla lonicera | North, behind bldg 38 on top of the large boulders. Closest addresses are 8760/8762 Woodbridge | This area has seen major erosion and loss of grass. The shrubs will stop the erosion and form a nicer border edge to the lawn. |
| 1 | Shrub Cinquefoil Dasiphora fruticosal | In front of bldg 29 in the river birch garden area on the lawn. Closest addresses are 8991/8993 Woodbridge | At least one shrub died here several years ago and there is a gap in the garden. |
| 2 | Bladdernut Staphylea trifolia | Northeast of bldg 36 in the back by the spruce trees. Closest address is 8792 Woodbridge | In 2025 we removed a large maple tree here. The area now has a big gap. |
| 3 | American Elderberry Sambucus canadensis | South of bldg 25 in the wooded area facing Grange. Closest address is 8905 Woodbridge | Several years ago our contractor dumped boulders and gravel in this area. We will remove and plant shrubs. |
Note. After consulting with our garden center vendor, Johnson’s Nursery, we may change specific species, or add or remove specific shrubs.
B&G Grounds Committee
Published: April 12, 2026 to: Buildings & Grounds
Within the last week, you may have noticed pink ribbons appearing around many trees on our property. These designate trees that will have their tree wells edged and filled with mulch (woodchips) once the landscaping season begins in early spring. More trees may be marked soon.
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Published: February 24, 2026 to: Buildings & Grounds
You may have noticed that Overlook Lakes Condos Landscaping committee is focusing on native species and biodiversity when replacing shrubs and trees, or adding perennials to gardens. Why?
Traditional lawns and gardens might look tidy, but they’re dead zones for wildlife. They guzzle expensive water, depend on chemical fertilizers and herbicides, and pump out emissions from gas mowers and blowers.mNone of these chemicals stay put. They run into waterways and onto surfaces where children and pets play, posing documented health risks. Also biodiverse native species reduce the risk of infections as we have experienced with monocultures such as our many ash and hawthorn trees.
Native plant landscapes offer a safer, healthier, and more vibrant alternative, and save our association money. They support pollinators and birds, reduce water use, and thrive without harmful chemicals.
In addition to creating a safer outdoors for you and your family, our Landscaping committee is hard-at-work creating a beautiful space, one filled with life and color, right here in our backyard!
B&G Landscape Committee
Published: February 2, 2026 to: Buildings & Grounds
As the Overlook Lake Condos complex ages, there are trees and bushes in need of replacement. Dead trees and bushes will be removed as soon as time and resources permit, diseased trees and bushes will be evaluated by the OLCA contractor. In many cases these diseased plants will survive, even though they may look sad this season. If the contractor deems it necessary, the diseased tree or bush will be removed.
Species were chosen to be suited for the environment (dry-medium-wet), are disease-resistant, and are the right size and shape for the area (tall-medium-short-wide-narrow). There is a preference for Wisconsin native species that do not drop seeds that sprout, are long-lived and can tolerate salt. Owner suggestions for replacement options will be accepted. However, keep in mind many owners, who also see the trees & bushes, may have different opinions.
If you are seeing issues like dead/missing trees or bushes, overhanging limbs, or notice ones that need pruning, submit a Condo Problem Submission Form. This form is available online or at the management office. Do not email or call board members, committee members, or volunteers. A response will be given to you within a week.
Maybe you’ve discovered one of our many hard-working volunteers toiling around your building. Please take a moment to thank them for their efforts on behalf of everyone.
Thank you for helping to keep Overlook Lakes Condos landscape healthy and beautiful!
Published: October 15, 2025 to: Buildings & Grounds
For owners planning to spend this winter in the south, following is a list of items you need to address before you depart. Doing so will help prevent damage to your unit and your neighbors’ units due to clogged, displaced or faulty water lines.
In addition to addressing the items below, please send an email to so that the Board of Directors has a list of units that will be vacant this winter. The list will only be shared with the Overlook Lakes Management Office and will otherwise be kept strictly confidential.
An additional measure for avoiding water leaks is for you to shut off the main water valve to your unit and to turn off the circuit breakers to your hot water heater. In eight-family units, the water valve is located in or above the hot water heater. In four-family units, the water valve may be concealed in the dopped soffit.
If you need help locating the correct water valve and circuit breakers, call the Overlook Lakes Management Office at least one week prior to your departure to schedule a date and time for property management staff to show you where each is located.
Repairing damage due to water leaks caused by clogged, displaced or faulty water lines is a long and costly process. Significant sections of drywall, insulation, baseboards and flooring often have to be removed and replaced. Please understand that if a water leak originates in your unit, you will be responsible for the cost of repairs to all affected units.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
If you have questions, email or call the Management Office at 414-427-5715.
Sincerely,
Your Overlook Lakes Board of Directors
Your Buildings and Infrastructure Committee
Published: October 7, 2025 to: Buildings & Grounds
Many condo owners may have noticed the popularity of the Overlook Lakes Condominiums by the number of sales of condominiums here in the past year or so. We welcome our new residents! But there is something that should be kept in mind if you’re selling your condo. Many condo owners give a key, a garage door opener or garage door keypad code to a relative, close friend or a neighbor for emergencies. That’s a great idea, but if you’re selling your unit, be sure to get these keys or other means of entry to your unit back from them to give to the new owner.
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Published: July 3, 2022 to: Community
It’s been great to see our community out walking and bicycling our beautiful development!
It has been brought to the attention of the OLCA community that while most people give “walkers” and bicycle riders a “wide berth” when driving past them, there are a few who are clearly driving at an unsafe speed.
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Published: June 29, 2022 to: Community, Public Service Announcements
