Landscaping Hwy 98

I think it looks wonderful! What kind of trees are those? But, my second thought was..how much will it cost to irrigate?

I think it is beautiful...they are crepe myrtle trees I believe, will be gorgeous when they bloom in late summer. Of all the things that have been done around here lately, I think this is one of the best.

I heard that the landscaping will go all the way to the Bay County line. Is that right? Now, I would love to see some more wildflowers planted too. That stretch of median just west of the Inlet Beach bridge is gorgeous right now.

Regional Utilities should be a good neighbor, and donate the water for the new trees. That would make up for the minimum payment so many of us, who do not use that much water, make every month.

And the trees will add to the positive balance of the air we breathe

I think it looks wonderful! What kind of trees are those? But, my second thought was..how much will it cost to irrigate?

My question exactly Miss Kitty. I think the county got some sort of grant for beautification, but long term, it has to be mowed, watered, mowed, watered. I live off West Hewitt and I can't tell you the number of times I've sat there waiting to turn and watched people literally slide/screech to a stop on 98 for the light (WHEN THE ROAD IS DRY!)... Many many accidents and near misses there. So, to top it all off by watering the damn road with 10 sprinklers 3 ft. off the ground IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY just makes me mad as hail.

Could've just planted some wildflowers all the way to 331 and been done with it IMO.

I believe this project was planned and the money for it approved a while ago, and I remember reading all about it. I agree with Goodwitch- the plants look great and once established, will definitely enhance the beauty of highway 98. This project is creating jobs and providing business for the companies that supply the plants, pipes, dirt, heavy equipment, engineering, etc.- it's all good. I'm sure the water thing can be worked out- maybe they are using reclaimed water?

The water is more than likely coming from a deep well so the cost will be the electricity to run the pump.

I'm glad the county decided to undertake a beautification project (that appears to be paid for) without regard for poor drivers who are unable to stop at red lights. ;-)

Looks wonderful and I love it.

My concern about the landscaping is that while it is pretty, it can cause visibility issues. Those little shrubs at the West 30a/98 intersection are going to be tall enough to cause visibility issues quite soon. I'd like to see them landscape w/ native and low (less than 18") plants or high (9' or more w/ only trunk) trees that don't need irrigation.

I believe this project was planned and the money for it approved a while ago, and I remember reading all about it. I agree with Goodwitch- the plants look great and once established, will definitely enhance the beauty of highway 98. This project is creating jobs and providing business for the companies that supply the plants, pipes, dirt, heavy equipment, engineering, etc.- it's all good. I'm sure the water thing can be worked out- maybe they are using reclaimed water?

J, as you pass when the sprinklers are activated, you can smell the strong odor of sulpher. This usually indicates well water that is coming directly from the ground under our feet from a local, natural aquifer.

I think it looks infinately better than the weedy dust bowl that used to be there.

And GW58, I also love the wildflowers that are at my end of the beach in the median...it's all good!

I hope no one got the idea that I don't like flowers. I do. I love flowers and I love our beautiful landscapes...natural or otherwise.

I just don't understand why the sprinklers are so far above the ground. They were literally watering the westbound lanes of traffic at an already dangerous intersection in the middle of the day. It was breezy so the water was just blowing North.
I don't know how tall those bushes will get, but I agree with SB, shrubbery will cause visibility problems. I've almost been hit in the parking lot at Publix a few times because I couldn't see over the bushes.:roll:

The water is more than likely coming from a deep well so the cost will be the electricity to run the pump.

I believe the deal involved them using reclaimed wastewater from South Walton Utilities.

I did not know crepe myrtles were native to Florida.

I think the whole deal looks great. Going to make putting up political signs quite a bit easier when season starts. They can go in the center and not have the mowers hit them since there is such a good protected area.

My concern about the landscaping is that while it is pretty, it can cause visibility issues. Those little shrubs at the West 30a/98 intersection are going to be tall enough to cause visibility issues quite soon. I'd like to see them landscape w/ native and low (less than 18") plants or high (9' or more w/ only trunk) trees that don't need irrigation.

Once established they shouldn't need too much irrigation, but when first installed they are going to have to be watered or they will simply die. I don't see the visibility problems you mention. I'm not really worried what the driver headed in the opposite direction of me is up to unless he's coming across the median at me. The only people who will be affected by visibility issues are the ones who illegally try to pull back onto 98 from the turn lane.

J, as you pass when the sprinklers are activated, you can smell the strong odor of sulpher. This usually indicates well water that is coming directly from the ground under our feet from a local, natural aquifer.

I think it looks infinately better than the weedy dust bowl that used to be there.

And GW58, I also love the wildflowers that are at my end of the beach in the median...it's all good!

Shouldn't they have the purple signs for reclaimed water? I believe it is a health code to post those.

I think Shipes Landscaping did a good job with the installment as it looks pretty, but that is a helluva lot of slow-mowing grass to mow. You can clip that with a drag mower behind a large tractor, like the rest of 98. I also think that if they are not, they should be using reclaimed water, rather than pumping it to the spray fields Regional Utilities owns east of Owls Head.

The Palmettos should do well down here, not needing watering once established, but I cannot wait to be sprayed by all of that stinky water when the wind is blowing. Seems like they could have left the grass more of the wildflower variety to save much expense on maintenance.

It is my understanding that this small section was all which has been funded, so I doubt we will see this all the way to Inlet Beach in the next ten years.

Oh yeah, I cannot wait for the first wreck to happen because someone with their windows down, convertible top down, or a motorcyclist attempts to dodge the sprinklers without looking to see if anyone is approaching in the neighboring lane. Speaking of bikers, this week, there are thousands of bikers riding through Walton County. Do everyone a favor and look twice before changing lanes.

I think it looks wonderful! What kind of trees are those? But, my second thought was..how much will it cost to irrigate?

Every time I see stuff like this going in, it reminds me of a this really great computer game I used to play called Sim City. I think starting and operating a successful city for a period of time should be a graduation requirement for all kids in high school.

I think Shipes Landscaping did a good job with the installment as it looks pretty, but that is a helluva lot of slow-mowing grass to mow. You can clip that with a drag mower behind a large tractor, like the rest of 98. I also think that if they are not, they should be using reclaimed water, rather than pumping it to the spray fields Regional Utilities owns east of Owls Head.

The Palmettos should do well down here, not needing watering once established, but I cannot wait to be sprayed by all of that stinky water when the wind is blowing. Seems like they could have left the grass more of the wildflower variety to save much expense on maintenance.

It is my understanding that this small section was all which has been funded, so I doubt we will see this all the way to Inlet Beach in the next ten years.

Oh yeah, I cannot wait for the first wreck to happen because someone with their windows down, convertible top down, or a motorcyclist attempts to dodge the sprinklers without looking to see if anyone is approaching in the neighboring lane. Speaking of bikers, this week, there are thousands of bikers riding through Walton County. Do everyone a favor and look twice before changing lanes.

Does anyone know who funded this project and when the rest of it will be done?

Here's an excerpt from an old Sun article that explains where the money came from:
On April 14, the Scenic Corridor Association announced they raised $142,000 and required $43,000 more before May 1 to proceed with plans for the beautification project of U.S. Highway 98 between Mack Bayou and County Road 30A.

State grants totaling $600,000 could be forfeited, delaying the project, if the required amount of $185,000 is not reached.

The project's total cost is $785,000 and is anticipated to begin in July.


Here's another old article from the Sun that explains about the project.

Beautification of the roads in Santa Rosa Beach is well underway with a two-mile stretch along Highway 98.

What began a few weeks ago has progressed at a rapid pace. The project is ahead of schedule and should be completed by early-to-mid-June.

"This project is about community pride," said Roger Hall, president of the Scenic Corridor Foundation. "It's about making this area better than it already is."

During a short ceremony March 18 more than 20 business and community members came out for the "gold shovel" event.

The Florida Department of Transportation awarded Walton County with state grants totaling $600,000 for beautification along the roadways.

Hall recognized the Walton County Board of Commissioners for their agreement in 2007 to maintain the medians once the project is complete.

"Their support was instrumental in receiving the grants from the state," said Hall.

"Our goal is to beautify the medians from the Okaloosa County line to the Bay County line."

The beautification project, which began with application for grant funding two years ago, is a now a public/private initiative.

Many businesses and residents have made contributions to SCF to help fund the project.

"This is a great community and we will continue to form public/private partnerships to accomplish the goal of beautification," Hall said.

As president of the newly-formed SCF, Hall stated their goal is to "continue efforts to foster an environment of excellence in the community that benefits everyone."

Landscaping will consist of several varieties of foliage with crepe myrtles providing a splash of color when in bloom.

"This is a simple design," said Bill Smith, senior landscape architect. "It will be a continuous flow of trees, grass and shrubs for ease of maintenance."

Along with the added beauty, statistics prove that fewer accidents occur along roadways that have landscaping, according to Smith.

thanks, SGB, I knew I had seen the info somewhere, but couldn't remember where. I hope the project continues...it is beautiful and gives a nice "finished" touch to the highway.

I appreciate you looking the info up for me.

With the road being designated a "scenic hwy," it is eligible for funding for things such as beautification. I'm sure there will be requests for more funding coming in the future to expand the project farther, but how loose the State will be with their wallets, is unknown.

So, has anyone noticed the condition this landscaping is in now? Standing water, weeds, weeds, weeds are choking everything, dead, dying shrubbery. MAKES ME ILL every time i go by it....especially after taking a walk and seeing some of the most beautiful wildflowers growing here....

wild (nobody waters them, nobody mows them) They're just there.....naturally. Imagine. :roll:

SHIPES LANDSCAPING, remind me not to call on you if I can ever afford landscaping.