Highland Pines

Highland Pines is a populated place in Township 14N, Range 3W Gila and Salt River Meridian, situated near Prescott and within the Prescott National Forest, in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. Highland Park is the unofficial map reference for the locality. Highland Pines is the promotional name associated with the Highland Park areas several subdivisions.[2] In the Arizona Territorial era up to 1912, and Statehood until around the late 1920s, this particular area of land acted as a cattle ranch with a mining history, lies within the Thumb Butte Mining District, which appears to be initially platted by the Arizona Corporation Highland Pine Properties Inc. beginning in the late 1950s.

Rich in history and surrounded on 3 sides by Prescott National Forest, offering views of Prescott, Thumb Butte, Granite Mountain and western sunset views toward Skull Valley. Highland Pines sits at an elevation of 6300 feet with four mild seasons and enjoys an abundance of wildlife including deer, javelina, racoon, skunk, bobcat, mountain lion, turkey and the occasional bear. Most roads in Highland Pines are paved and county maintained. Ponderosa and Pinon Pine, Gambel and Scrub Oak, and Shaggy and Alligator Juniper Trees cascade the mountainside.

About Us

THE HIGHLAND PINE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

The Highland Pine Property Owners Association, Inc. (“HPPOA”) was officially formed in June 1973 by some 30 to 35 property owners with the following general purposes, according to its Bylaws which are presented later in this section:

“…to insure protection of property values, preserve our aesthetics, and take such action as may be deemed necessary for the benefit of the property owners.”

During the first 10 years of HPPOA, its efforts were primarily oriented towards the betterment and “modernization” of the overall development including the following:

· The installation of a communal pay phone;

· The formation of a volunteer fire department;

· Fencing to keep cattle out;

· Movement of mailboxes from Iron Springs Road into Highland Pines;

· The installation of a community bulletin board;

· The addition of street signs; and,

· Continued efforts to have Skyline Drive paved into Highland Pines and have a separate water district formed.

The Central Yavapai Fire District, with the help of HPPOA, completed its fire station at the intersection of Skyline and Happy Valley Road in 1984 and, in that same year, mail service to individual property mail boxes was instituted.

In early 1991, the Highland Pine Water Company was formed. The Water Company, while long championed by HPPOA, is totally separate from HPPOA.

In 1998, a dawn-to-dusk street lamp was installed at the Skyline/Iron Springs Road intersection at the expense of HPPOA to improve intersection safety. HPPOA continues to maintain this light.

Over the years, in an effort to enhance the living environment for all of the residents of Highland Pines, the Board of HPPOA has established numerous committees to address the various needs of the community. Currently, HPPOA committees consist of the following, with the indicated primary responsibilities:

· Roads – Identify issues with the neighborhood roads (and signage) and liaise with the County to resolve any issues

· Community Relations – Liaise with residents of the neighborhood and bring any identified issues to the attention of the Board

· Volunteer Records/Recognition – Maintain records of resident/volunteer participation in various activities and recognize such participation with awards

· Firewise – Work with residents to enhance the firewise status of individual properties; liaise with the County and U.S. Forest Service fire groups; organize and supervise Chipper Days; and, work with the Grant Committee to obtain and utilize funds received to clear property

· Fire Safety – Tour the neighborhood and surrounding forest property to identify and remove fire rings and other hazards

· Membership – Encourage HPPOA membership and maintain all records relating thereto, including dues’ collections

· Grant Administration – Identify, apply for and manage grants available for firewise and other community activities

· Litter Lifters – Plan and supervise volunteer litter pick-up days

· Forester – Prepare and publish the Forester newsletter on a quarterly basis

Further, HPPOA represents Highland Pines in the neighborhood’s general dealings/relationships with Yavapai County, the U.S. Forest Service and the Water Company.

As a Property Owners Association, HPPOA differs from a Homeowners Association in that it does not have and enforce rules and regulations but rather simply works for the common good and welfare of its residents.

BENEFITS

The benefits of becoming a member of HPPOA are many and, often, subtle and not obvious. The $30 per year (or about $.08 per day) dues amount for HPPOA pales in comparison to the dues amounts of similar organizations in the area. The following are some examples of the services HPPOA members receive for their dues:

· As previously mentioned, HPPOA represents all of the residents of Highland Pines in general issues involving Yavapai County, the U.S. Forest Service and the Water Company.

· HPPOA members’ volunteer efforts on Chipper and Litter Lifter Days, and through the efforts of the Firewise and Fire Safety Committees, benefit all residents of Highland Pines by enhancing the aesthetics of the community while also reducing the danger of wildfires in and around the community. Further, these volunteer efforts save residents time and money in maintaining their properties. HPPOA dues are used, in part, to support these Chipper and Little Lifter Day efforts.

· Various events during the year such as the Annual Meeting, the Pancake Breakfast, the Ice Cream Social/Pot Luck, the Yard Sale and Chipper and Litter Lifter Days provide great opportunities to socialize and meet your neighbors. These events are particularly valuable to Highland Pines newcomers looking to assimilate quickly and in comfortable settings.

· The “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” attitude of the Highland Pines community benefits residents when help is needed the most.