BY TRACY LEE TATE
Special to the Times
Lake Butler will soon be a prettier place when, through the joint efforts of the Lake Butler Woman’s Club and the City of Lake Butler, the landscaping islands along Main St.
Monica Bayer spoke to the Lake Butler City Commission at its April 16, meeting to fill the board in on the project. She had already been in touch with City Manager Kimberly Hayes about the project, which was conceived by the Woman’s Club last year. The islands were installed and planted as part of an FDOT project but due to factors such as lack or coordination in maintenance and care of the plants, as well as the plants chosen for the project, most plants died and the islands came to resemble a dried out pocket of wild land. The plants have since been removed by the city and nothing has been done with the islands.
Bayer told commissioners that the club had secured the services of Evergreen Landscape Design, working out of Greenhouse Nursery on Newberry Rd. in Gainesville. The crew did the design, using drought resistant plants appropriate for this part of Florida. Bayer said that for the designer/nursery gave the club a price of over $3,000 to complete the project, but said that the club members thought it could be done for less. The Woman’s Club pledged funds to pay for part of the project last year, but it did not get done. The funds are still there and the club plans to use them to buy the materials to do three of the four big islands. The Huggins family has pledged to finance a small island, as has Free State Realty. Sponsorship is still being sought for two large islands (cost: $190) and one small island (cost: $165). It is planned to place tasteful signs on each island recognizing the sponsor.
Bayer talked with Hayes, who was very enthusiastic about the project. Bayer outlined the cost saving members, including her husband, the Honorable (Ret.) Judge Bo Bayer, volunteering to drive to Gainesville to pick up the plants and club members helping to place and plant the plants. Hayes said the planting would have to wait until the first part of May, so the city’s annual Beautification Month would be over (as city workers are involved in some of the clean-up activities). It was agreed to start the first part of May. Bayer said that the city would have to handle the watering and Hayes said she would come up with a system to handle it, perhaps seeking help from the business owners near the islands. Hayes also said she would see about getting the city workers in on the project to assist the club. Commissioner Fred Sirmones said he would see to getting the signs made for the islands.
Bayer told the board that the islands would not be “flower beds with plants blooming all the time” but would rather be attractive landscaping that would improved the appearance of Main Street.
Families, individuals, organizations or businesses wishing to donate funds to sponsor an island can drop a check, made out to the City of Lake Butler, at city hall during business hours for the above mentioned amounts by May 1, 2024 so the appropriate number of plants and supplies can be ordered.
