Summer Lakes Soon to Have New Look

In a few weeks a major beautification project will bring an entirely new look to the entrance of Summer Lakes with the addition of hundreds of new plants and trees.

With the guidance of professional landscape consultant Jane Waldrop, the residents’ Landscape Committee has developed a plan to create visually interesting islands of plants and trees at the entrance to the neighborhood on both sides of Summer Rain Boulevard.

The project is a cooperative effort of the Homeowner’s Association and Atlantic Coast Properties and resulted from a vote in favor of the beautification project by residents at their annual meeting in July. The Homeowner’s Association is purchasing the plants and trees and Atlantic Coast is providing much of the labor, as well as purchasing and installing an irrigation system and decorative tree lighting. Cost of the plants and trees totals $2,850; they are being purchased at wholesale prices from two Georgia nurseries.

“There will be a total of 284 plants consisting of 16 different varieties and 27 trees with 7 different types included in the purchase,” according to Roger Pizio, a member of the Landscape Committee. “We’re starting large; the plants will be 3 gallons in size and the trees will be 15 gallons,” added Pizio.

Residents have likely noticed that site preparation work has already begun; Atlantic Coast employees have been removing sod from the new planting areas and new dirt will be hauled in. The Landscape Committee is targeting a day in early November when the planting will take place. Neighbors will be notified of the date and are urged to pitch in for a few hours to help with the planting. With plenty of ‘helping hands’ it’s anticipated the project can be completed in one day.

A BIG THANK YOU goes to members of the Landscape Committee: Phil Rosbach (Chairman), Roger Pizio, Kurt Rudolph, Kathy Kent and Donna Taylor. Thanks also to Jimmy Luquire for his assistance with the major improvement.