Forest Highlands is a golf community just south of Flagstaff, Arizona off of Highway 89A. Established over 20 years ago with homes built around the well- known Canyon Golf Course, it offers a lifestyle hard to beat. The addition of a second golf course, Meadow Course, and second clubhouse merely enhanced the fun and activities for residents and their guests. Although it is better known for summer living, it is located within ten miles of the Snow Bowl which features skiing, snowboarding and alpine cross country trails. Forest Highlands is truly a year-round community.
One of the unique features of Forest Highlands is the security offered by the Homeowners Association. There is a 24/7 manned security gate at the entrance to the complex. Over the years, the department has provided security for homes as well as residents and guests. To insure that the community and its residents are kept safe and sound, they are constantly updating the equipment and services offered.
Recently, one of the residents came up with an innovative idea to link his security system via the internet and his computer. Rather than insist he stay within the current system, the Security Department worked with him and his internet provider to assist him in making the change. The innovation paid off . Now homeowners can utilize land lines, cell phones or the internet to link their home’s security system to the Security Department.
In addition, the Security Department offers members and approved vendors the use of auto transponders for ease of entry into the community. This technology also allows the Security Department to estimate the number of residents within the community in the event of an emergency that requires evacuation.
One of their “other” slightly more unusual jobs is to remove the flags from the golf course in the evening. It seems the beautiful elk that reside nearby love to come onto the greens and use the flag poles as “backscratchers.” Removal of the pins seems to do the job as we see less and less damage to the greens.
There is also a service offered to residents for a nominal fee called “Security Watch”. This is a great solution for seasonal residents who leave their homes vacant for longer periods of time and is especially critical during the colder winter months. With “Security Watch,” members of the department visit your home a minimum of once a week and insure that there are no issues. Security turns off the water at the street and monitors the temperature in the homes to prevent any damage from frozen or broken pipes. They also monitor the snow level on the rooftops and will call the homeowner if they feel there is danger of a roof collapsing or “ice dams” forming that will cause interior water damage. Another perk of the Security Watch program is that during the winter season residents can call in advance to request the water be restored and ask that the thermostat is adjusted to insure arrival to a warm and cozy home.
In addition to being a great golfing community, Forest Highlands benefits greatly from a friendly and technologically evolving security department.
