Home

Return to Prior Screen

 

Walden Owner's Guide

 

What is Walden?

Walden is a unique planned development of 618 properties, comprised of 530 condominiums in 15 associations and 88 individual homes. It was created and developed by Mr. Manny Barenholtz in the early 1970's.

There is an "umbrella" neighborhood association, the Walden Association, which ties the entire community of Walden together. Its officers, trustees and committees are composed of Walden residents (all Walden owners are automatically members of the Walden Association). It provides a security service for the area, maintains architectural control over the appearance of Walden, and generally administers the common activities of the entire development. However, the Walden Association plays no direct role in the governing of the separate condominium associations.

When you buy property in Walden you do not automatically become a member of the Walden Golf and Tennis Club. Many Walden residents are Club members, and information on the various membership levels are available from Club Membership Sales at 330-995-3104.

The basic document which created Walden is the Master Warranty Deed and Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions, which is recorded in Portage County records in Ravenna, OH. This provides that Walden is strictly a residential community - no profession or home industry may be conducted in Walden.

Return to Prior Screen

 



Who manages Walden?

The Walden Association is managed by its Board of Trustees, which consists of a representative from each condominium association, a representative from the Homeowners Association, and up to three trustees elected from residents at-large. Officers are elected by the Trustees from their ranks, except that the Secretary and Treasurer may be nonresidents.

Mailing and general clerical support services are provided by the Aurora Management Company in Hudson, OH. The finances of the Walden Association are managed by its Treasurer, under the direction of the Board of Trustees. All Walden owners pay a fee, currently $200 per half year, to fund the activities of the Walden Association. Condominium owners pay, in addition, monthly maintenance fees to their condominium associations. Private home owners have their own Association and fees.

The Annual Meeting of the Walden Association is held on the second Tuesday of May.

Return to Prior Screen

 

 

What is a condominium association?

The fifteen condominium associations in Walden are nonprofit corporations organized under Ohio Revised Code Section 5311. Each is independently governed by its own Declaration of Condominium Ownership and By-laws, which are recorded in the property records of Portage County in Ravenna, OH. The associations in Walden vary in size from one unit (Briarwood) to 57 units (Gardens).

 

What security services are provided to Walden residents?

The Walden Association contracts for 24/7 security services, currently provided by the Tenable Security Company. They conduct continuous patrols of all streets in Walden, and are available to provide emergency assistance to residents when needed.

The security dispatcher can be reached at any time by calling 330-562-1112, and will respond to all 911 calls to direct and assist emergency responders.

New residents are urged to contact Security in connection with the following:

  1. Obtain "Walden" automobile identification decals.
  2. Advise Security if you will be away for more than a few days. Their patrol will monitor your unit/house, and on request, may provide additional services (check doors, check for delivered parcels, etc.).
  3. Need emergency help of some kind, and do not know who to call.

Return to Prior Screen

 

 

Parking and Motor Vehicles

Speed limits are posted on most streets in Walden. Generally, the speed limit is 15 mph on side streets within condominium associations, 20 mph on private streets such as Ridge Way, Ravines Drive and Deer Island Drive, and 25 mph on city streets such as Walden Drive.

Parking and/or driving is not allowed on any grass or grass-seeded area, except when streets are being repaved or repaired.

No overnight parking in Walden is permitted of any vehicle over ¾ ton capacity or of any vehicle licensed, painted, signed, or equipped for commercial purposes, or of motor homes, boats, trailers of all kinds, or recreational vehicles.

Disabled, inoperable or abandoned vehicles may not be left on the property for more than 48 hours, and all vehicles parked on the property must have current license tags. Any vehicle found in violation of these guidelines may be towed and stored at the owner's expense.

Vehicle repairs shall be limited to the owner's garage, or in the driveway in front of the garage for no more than twenty-four hours. Absolutely no fluids may be drained on driveways or common areas.

In condominium association common areas, visitor parking spaces are not intended for everyday use by residents, but it is understood that they may be used by visiting family members. Some Associations have more restrictive parking rules than others.

Parking is not allowed on city streets in Aurora between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. It is suggested that the Aurora Police Department be advised if homeowners or their guests will be parking overnight on the street.

Return to Prior Screen

 

 

Pets & Wildlife

Dogs, cats and other household pets may be kept in Walden, subject to the ordinances of the City of Aurora requiring that they not be allowed to run at large, and that owners are responsible for immediate cleanup and disposal of pet waste.

Fences to restrain pets, both visible and invisible, require the approval of the Walden Architectural Committee.

Feeding of wildlife, particularly deer and geese, is discouraged by wildlife experts, as it attracts and encourages nuisance behavior by these animals.  Please help us maintain the beauty of Walden by not encouraging damage to our foliage by wildlife.

Return to Prior Screen

 

 

Trash Collection

Dogs, cats and other household pets may be kept in Walden, subject to the ordinances of the City of Aurora requiring that they not be allowed to run at large, and that owners are responsible for immediate cleanup and disposal of pet waste.

Fences to restrain pets, both visible and invisible, require the approval of the Walden Architectural Committee.

Feeding of wildlife, particularly deer and geese, is discouraged by wildlife experts, as it attracts and encourages nuisance behavior by these animals. Please help us maintain the beauty of Walden by not encouraging damage to our foliage by wildlife.
The city of Aurora contracts with a private hauler for rubbish collection. Individual owners contract with the hauler and pay for the type of service desired. Recyclables are collected by Portage County. Currently, both are collected in Walden on Mondays. If Monday is a holiday, collection will be on Tuesday. Generally speaking, if an Owner opts for "Super Service", anything placed at the curb, except hazardous materials, will be collected.

Materials to be collected may be placed at the curb in the evening prior to collection. Rubbish containers should be removed within 12 hours of collection.

If you are disabled, and are unable to move your trash to the curb, call the City of Aurora Service Department at 330-995-9116, and request that the trash collector pick trash up at your garage door.

Rubbish, garbage and other items to be disposed of must be stored in such a manner that it is not visible from the street, other property, or common areas.

Return to Prior Screen

 

 

Architectural Committee

Under the provisions of the Master Warranty Deed and Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions of the Walden Association, all changes to property in Walden must be approved by the Walden Architectural Committee. Specifically, any alteration which materially changes the exterior appearance of any existing structure, or its landscaping, or commences any new use on any Lot, requires such approval. Replacements in kind, or repairs with like materials, do not require Committee approval.

Applications for the review and approval of changes to a condominium unit or house in Walden are available from the Chairman of the Architectural Committee or the office of the Walden Golf and Tennis Club located in the lower level office of the Clubhouse.

Applications from condominium owners must be approved by the Board of Managers of the appropriate condominium Association before they will be considered by the Architectural Committee. Homeowners submit applications directly to the Committee.

The Walden Architectural Standards, as revised from time to time, and a download able application, are available on line on the Web site of the Walden Association, http://www.waldenofaurora.com.

Return to Prior Screen

 

 

Walking Path

A walking path has been constructed along Walden Drive from Brandon Circle, on the south, to Ravines Drive on the north. This path is for pedestrian traffic only. Roller blades or skates, skateboards, bicycles and scooters are not allowed to use this pathway.

 

Personal Property Sales

Personal property sales are allowed in Walden when an owner or spouse dies or an owner moves out of their living unit in Walden. The Walden Association has adopted a policy covering such sales, which may be obtained from one of the property management companies that manage property in Walden, or on this Website. Briefly, these sales are limited to two or three days, require 30 days prior approval of the condominium association, and must be managed to avoid problems with parking and access for emergency vehicles.

Return to Prior Screen

 

Garages

Garages should be used as primary parking space, and garage doors should be kept closed to assure security of the residence, and maintain a neat appearance in the neighborhood. Since residents are often unaware that their garage doors are open, Walden Security will inform residents by telephone of open doors when discovered during patrol in hours of darkness.

 

Lakes & Ponds

No boat or vessel of any kind may be operated on any lake or pond in Walden, except with the written approval of the property owner. Fishing is permitted from the banks of some ponds and waterways, such as Walden Lake and the pond on Ridge Way near the Barn, but not in some condominium associations without the approval of the property owner. No permanent structures may be constructed on any waterway without the written approval of the Walden Architectural Committee and the Trustees of the Walden Association.

Return to Prior Screen

 

 

Signs

The Master Deed Covenants covering property in Walden prohibit signs and advertising devices of any nature, except real estate “For Sale” signs not in excess of eight square feet in area. Some condominium associations may have more specific restrictions.

“Open House” signs, not to exceed eight square feet in area, may be placed on streets in Walden and in front of a unit by the owner or his realtor on the day of an open house. Open houses may be held only on Saturdays, Sundays or Tuesdays. The signs must be professionally printed; no homemade signs are permitted. Signs must be removed no later than one hour after the close of the open house hours.

 

 

Golf Cart Safety on Walden Streets

The use of golf carts by children in Walden is a safety concern of all Walden residents. Walden Drive is a dedicated city street and golf cart operation is subject to the State motor vehicle laws. These include the requirement of a valid operator's license and certain safety related equipment. Your personal insurance will probably not cover accidents by unlicensed drivers. Also, abuse of golf cart privileges by a few families may negatively impact the ability of our residents to use carts for their intended purpose - to go to Club Walden and play golf. Your attention to this problem would be greatly appreciated.

Return to Prior Screen


 

Satellite Systems Antennas

Satellite system antennas may be installed on houses or units in Walden. An application must be submitted to the Architectural Committee showing, if possible, the location and installation plan for the antenna, before it is installed.. Often, however, the exact location is dependent upon signal reception from the satellite, and cannot be determined until actual installation. The following guidelines must be followed:

Installation on cedar shake roof surfaces is very undesirable and voids the installer’s warranty, plus such an installation may cause roof leaks.

The application will be judged on the location in reference to visibility by neighbors and visibility to street traffic. If the antenna can only provide satisfactory reception if installed in a location open to public view, screening of some sort must be proposed.

Return to Prior Screen