by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
This time last year, local Greenscape board members were trying to find a way to commemorate the 20th year of their annual tree sale. Instead of selling the trees, they decided to have a tree giveaway.
“We held the ‘Great Greenscape Tree Giveaway’ and it energized the whole board,” said Peggy Bryan, the now past-president of Greenscape’s board of directors. “Not only did we give away 20,000 trees, in an hour-and-a-half there was not a leaf left.
“It was so exciting to see the vision come to life.”
Greenscape held its annual meeting Friday at the Hyatt during which the treasurer usually delivers the organization’s annual financial report. However, treasurer Robb Mitchell was sailing the British West Indies, so Bryan skipped the report and announced the new board of directors.
The 2007-08 board of directors are as follows:
• Jeff Bryan - President
• Robb Mitchell - Vice President
• Charles Cold - Treasurer
• Joan Pattison - Secretary
• John Magevney - Member At-Large
• Carol Worsham - Member At-Large
• Peggy Bryan - Immediate Past President
Peggy Bryan held the position of president for two years and now her son Jeff Bryan is taking over.
“If you thought we had a good year this year, we are going to have another great year,” said Jeff. “There will be some great things happening in Jacksonville horticulturally.”
Jeff introduced the speaker, Bob Chabot, director of horticulture and facilities at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.
“It really is fantastic,” said Jeff of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. “Even if you aren’t an animal person the plants are amazing.”
Chabot, who is also a member of Greenscape’s board of directors, spoke about the changes the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has undergone since he began working there about a year-and-half ago.
The Savannah Blooms Garden and the Play Park are two of the most recent additions. The Trout River Plaza Gardens are scheduled to be completed this August. In the next few months, visitors to the Zoo and Gardens will see new landscaping along Zoo Parkway leading to the entrance.
“We recently got permits from Florida Department of Transportation to plant palms, flowering trees and shrubs along the road,” he said.
Another area of the park that is currently being worked on is the Asian Bamboo Gardens, similar to the Savannah Blooms Gardens where there are plants and animals. The Asian Bamboo Gardens are scheduled to open next spring.
“We are in a unique position because we provide both plants and animals,” he said.