ARBOR LAKE  …a place of sanctuary  ARBOR LAKE   …is Iowa

Come home to peace and tranquility.

One year ago Arbor Lake was a lonely, overgrown and forgotten place. Frequented by only a few fishermen who had permission to use the lake, the area was so overgrown that only a four wheel drive and a machete could gain you access. For many years, the sun rose and set on such a lonely place only eight miles from the Iowa State Capital.

Arbor Lake was waiting for a vision. Originally, the unnamed area was a training facility for the Iowa Operating Engineers Union. They were good neighbors and good stewards of the land. They created the dam and watershed area that feeds and nourishes the clear spring-fed six acre lake. In June of 2005, I met the gentleman who is responsible for a good deal of the quality of Arbor Lake. His name is Lee Carper. Mr. Carper stewarded the property for some fifteen years and still loves the place. I spent a couple of afternoons with Mr. Carper and learned much from his wealth of experience and time he spent there. He spoke with care about how the grounds were taken care of. Out of state visitors to the property remarked that it was the most gorgeous training facility in the country; the operators in training mowed the entire property with a flail mower. This is amazing task to accomplish as the grounds must have truly been golf course like. Under Mr. Carper’s tutelage, they preserved the healthy mature trees and manicured the site even though it was simply a training facility for heavy equipment operators. Mr. Carper considered his responsibility with care and elegance. This is evident as you drive down Arbor Lake Drive into the newest and first actual Low Impact Development in the Des Moines Metro Area.

Arbor Lake is one of the few places in the United States where such raw beauty exists in such close proximity to a center of commerce and legislature. In January of 2006 a partnership with Fritz Trost and Gary Mulcahy was formed. This partnership allowed the vision for Arbor Lake to come alive. Arbor Lake was envisioned to create a place for people and natural surroundings to co-exist in amongst some of the most beautiful terrain in the country. To come to Arbor Lake is to enter into an area that could be part of some of the most beautiful states in the union. It is hard to believe that Arbor Lake is Iowa. It is easier to believe that it is Maine –New Hampshire –upstate New York –Minnesota –Oregon - Missouri. Arbor Lake is not what most people think of when they think of Iowa. Even many Iowans wouldn’t guess from our beautiful photography that Arbor Lake is a gem in their own back yard.

Gary and Fritz formed a powerful partnership of vision and perseverance that helped Arbor Lake come to be. We have created what has been described by many as a truly beautiful example of low impact development that exists harmoniously with its environment. It is also remarkable that the unique personalized homesites will be home for some truly fortunate folks.

Arbor Lake’s low impact development (L.I.D.) allows for maintaining the incredible water quality of Arbor Lake. You will also see that we have accomplished tree preservation, and a unique placement of homes with beautiful views and a beautiful sense of community.

We have designed Arbor Lake to protect the incredible water quality through a design where the water is filtered by natural means. The water from ‘storm runoff’ has many opportunities to be filtered and cleansed before it reaches the lake. Come and see more of how we accomplished this.

We have preserved trees mainly through designing around them. When you visit Arbor Lake much of this preservation is evident on the first drive. Call us and come and visit and see more of how we were able to preserve specific trees and even entire stands of trees.

We have such unique homesites! We have thought of you -the future homeowners- from the beginning! We knew that you would want us to work to maintain your views of the lake and surrounding timber. Call us and come and see how elevation and sightline have been utilized to create unique and beautiful homesites that are have ties to the community around you at the same time creating peace and sanctuary.

Sincerely,

Gary and Fritz

Community at Arbor Lake LLC