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Avoiding Pedestrian Hazards in Parking Lots (2) Landscape Strips

  This local landscape strip in the parking area exhibits several flaws.  The area is too narrow for the selected tree species (Live Oak) The topsoil within the planting area has been eroded away either by foot traffic or rainfall, or both There is no mulch around the tree to aid in moisture retention. It is possible that the soil is so compacted that the roots must surface to get the oxygen needed to survive. A path is not provided between areas separated by the landscape strip, making traversing an area like this, with exposed roots, hazardous to pedestrians.  A mitigating feature is that the planting strip is, placed at a 90 degree agnle with reference to the store entry so that pedestrians are not forced to cross the strip in order to reach the front entry. Some Suggested Design Considerations Ensure the species of tree is well suited at maturity for the space provided.  Know the characteristics of the development of the root system. At the time of planting, pr
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Avoiding Pedestrian Hazards in Parking Lots (1) Drainage Structures

Don't forget that once a passenger leaves a vehicle, the passenger has become a pedestrian.  This photograph is of a parking lot at a local restaurant.  The gutter of this style inlet is heavily sloped, and it's location can lead to serious injury to a pedestrian leaving a vehicle.
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Stormwater Bioswale Failure

There are a lot of great designers out there offering workable ideas for stormwater treatment and control.  Parking lot bioswales (depressed areas to treat and/or control storomwater runoff are a great example of their thinking.  This is only one example:   With anything, once it's built, it requires maintenance to function properly.  The permitted facility shown below is rather new (around a year old) and it's intended function is already significantly impaired. Here' is what sometimes happens: Outlet structure blocked by debris and dead plant material. Landscaping/sod has died and sides are eroded.
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Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee-Fun and Free

Went to the Musem of Florida History on July 4th.  What a great place!  Exhibits cover Florida History from ancient times through the 20th century. Cafe and Gift Shop, visits are free (donations are encouraged), tours are available if desired.  Parking is available in the parking garage next door ($5), tokens are gotten from the gift shop. Here is the location: Museum of Florida History R.A. Gray Building 500 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250 (850) 245-6400 Here are a few photos:
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Why it's wise to use wheel stops.....

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Utility Screening Update Photo

Utility Screen after about 1.5 years
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Ideas For Utility Screening

While finishing a recent project, we received a request from Tallahassee Growth Management to consider screening the required fire apparatus and backflow preventers from drivers on the adjacent roadway.  The challenge was to find a way to make these less noticeable and still maintain the required 7-foot clearance around the equipment. BEFORE   We decided to camouflage the backflow preventer by approximating the background color of the landscaping behind the units, and block the view to traffic with landscaping.       We photographed the surrounding installed landscaping, then use Adobe Illustrator to match the average color with Pantone color chips.  The result was presented to the Owner for approval.      Covers for the irrigation and potable water backflow preventers were added.  As in many construction projects, the instructions were "creatively" interpreted by the ones doing the work.  The FDC and Valve were left their original colors, but wi
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