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2808 North Fifth Street Suite 501 ·
St. Augustine, FL 32084 |
Hastings Florida-Friendly Research Site: Update
Sun, Aug 26 2007
The Florida Partnership for Water, Agricultural and Community Sustainability at Hastings (Hastings Research Site) in St. Johns County has been developing Florida-friendly demonstration landscape areas under the management of Joe Sewards, Multi-County Horticulture Extension Agent for Putnam and St. Johns Counties, Dr. Mark Clark, UF Extension and Wetlands and Water Quality Specialist, and Glenn Acomb, Associate Professor in the UF Department of Landscape Architecture.Paver Systems of Jacksonville has generously donated 300 sq. ft. of permeable pavers which were installed at the facility during a demonstration workshop for the public on March 23rd (photo to right). An in-ground cistern has been installed to receive runoff from the roof of the main building. Landscapes in rear of the main building currently demonstrate the use of native plants, wildflowers, alternative turf and groundcovers. Florida Landscape of St. Augustine has donated a Ditch Witch and labor to assist in the installation of the main irrigation lines and stubs to each of the demonstration areas.
The front of the Hastings Research Site has recently seen a facelift with the installation of a temporary landscape that incorporates permeable paver sidewalks, rain gardens and Florida Friendly plant materials and landscape design.
The St. Johns County Master Gardeners have eagerly agreed to begin volunteering at the Hastings Research Site on a weekly basis and P&A Consulting Engineers of St. Augustine has provided engineering for a future permeable pavement parking lot demonstration to be installed to the west of the main building in 2008.
Written by:
Ondine Wells
Statewide Builder and Developer Coordinator
Florida Yards and Neighborhoods
University of Florida
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