Vernon Woods Owners Association

This site is the Association's attempt to provide convenient access to some basic information about our portion of the Village of Riverwoods.  Click on the tabs above to locate information, or use the search box above the tabs.  If you can't find the information here, feel free to contact one of the VWOA directors.*  This is our CALENDAR of meetings.

(Below is a field of rare trillium, a spring ephemeral that flourishes in protected areas of the Village.  Except where noted, all of the nature photos on this website were taken by Sue (Auerbach) Bialson, a long-time resident of Vernon Woods and an active participant in the Vernon Woods Owners Association, who now lives in the bay area of California... but who visits Riverwoods periodically to commune with its natural habitat.)   

May 2022:  Owners Association President's Letter

Greetings new neighbor and member of this community!

We are excited to welcome you to the woods and into this circle of stewards of this land. We are the Vernon Woods Owners Association Board. The purpose of the Vernon Woods Owners Association (VWOA) is to foster cooperation and community pride among the owners of the lots in the subdivision, beautify the subdivision, preserve the natural character of the subdivision, enhance the value of properties within the subdivision, and promote the health and safety of all persons living in the subdivision. The VWOA’s purpose includes but is not limited to the maintenance of roadways, drainage, and Lot 1.

The Board currently meets the last Tuesday of every month. We invite you to check out the pages on this website www.vernonwoodsowners.com that outline pertinent information including meeting dates and locations. Other information that you will need can be found on the Village of Riverwoods website, www.riverwoods.gov.

In this letter we will share “Cliffs Notes” on some of the overarching information that you may need to know as you get settled in here. Complete bylaws are enclosed in this packet.

● Please remember to inform the Village of the occupancy of your property (847-945-3990)

● Rental properties require registration with the Village

● Check out the Village website to learn about the variety of cost sharing options to maintain and improve the ecology of your land at www.riverwoods.gov/woodlands/page/ecological-cost-share-programs

● Most construction projects require a Village permit and will also incur a VWOA construction fee. Please contact the Village and us before starting any projects. Fee structure can be found on the VWOA website.

● Each buildable lot that you own will owe an annual assessment. The current assessment for most lots is $500 per year. If you have a lot that is not considered “buildable” or is on a public road, the current assessment is $40/year.

● Please join our Facebook community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/riverwoodsvwoa or use the QR code emailed to you on May 7th!

● The association handles snow plowing on the roads, but you are responsible for snow removal on your own property. Plowing may put  snow at the end of your driveway. Salt is used on the roads in severe icing situations only.

● If a tree from your property falls into the road, you are responsible for its immediate removal. The Village will remove trees blocking the road and will charge the property owner for the associated costs

● Removal of any tree larger than 1.5” in diameter, dead or alive, requires a permit from the Village

● You are responsible for clearing drainage ditches and driveway culverts on your property. This maintenance is essential for the overall health of the land and to prevent flooding 

● Speed limits are posted as 20mph per the Village, but we encourage 15mph to protect our families, pets, and wildlife

● All guests and service vehicles must park in your driveway. If you absolutely need guests to park on the street, please keep all vehicles parked on one side of the road

● Overnight parking on the sides of the roads is prohibited by Village Ordinance.

● A less obvious thing to note is that outdoor lighting can cause serious harm to the natural rhythms of animals, trees, and flowering plants. In respect of all that call these lands home, please keep outdoor lighting dim and to an absolute minimum and be mindful when doing any exterior lighting design. Village ordinance requires lighting to be aimed down and not out or up from the property

● Please enjoy Lot 1! This is the association maintained walking paths begin at the intersection of Thornmeadow and Orange Brace which is marked by a gray gate.

● Even though we live in the woods, it is unlawful to leave pet waste behind.

● Regarding burning yard waste and debris, please familiarize yourself with the regulations on the website.

● Please be mindful of driving etiquette when driving on our narrow roads. Do your best to pull over into a driveway or a cross street where possible when another car is oncoming.

Driving off the edge of the pavement damages the edges and shortens the life of the roads

● Almost all homes in Vernon Woods have a Village-maintained sewage grinder pump. If the alarm on it sounds, call Strenger Plumbing, 847-234-9440, 24hrs, for emergency service. Repairs to the pump are paid for by the Village. Failure to do so may result in sewage backup into your home.

It seems that there are lots of things to remember about living in Vernon Woods. Most of these are based on courtesy and respect for others. Vernon Woods is a special part of Riverwoods. We are so glad that you have decided to live here and become a part of our community! If you have any questions, the contact information for all the Board members is on our website. Please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

*Please direct any questions concerning the Vernon Woods Owners Association to an officer or director or to vwoa9999@gmail.com.