This 172-acre multi-use property is one of the most ambitious municipal projects in all of Texas. Just north of I-20, the $94 million development transformed an underutilized area into a world-class entertainment and recreation complex. Locals have endless activities available right in their hometown, rivaling any bustling downtown or theme park. An indoor water park, grand lawn amphitheater, lakeside trails, and waterfront dining are only a small taste of the amenities. The project has proven wildly successful, attracting an estimated seven million visitors to the Dallas-Fort Worth area annually.
Challenges
Finding creative ways to meet the main challenge, which is the property’s high-visibility, helps overcome many other issues. With a diverse range of activities nearly every part of the property is seen daily by visitors. Some residents even use the amenities every day of the week during summer break.
That means there are plenty of chances for parts of the landscaping to not look their best. That issue worsens because of wear and tear. After all, many of the activities are inherently tough on turf and plants. Then, consider the land mass of this property, which can put a strain on the crews maintaining such a large space.
Scheduling maintenance is another challenge. Early morning is the ideal time to clean up from the day before. Normally, not a problem, except when there are large events scheduled during morning hours. Adjustments to the schedule are needed while still protecting Yellowstone Landscape crews from the blazing Texas heat in the afternoon.
Results
For every landscaping challenge, there are modern solutions. Here are some of the tools we’ve used to exceed the client’s expectations.
- This property has a full-time four-person crew to ensure each property section is consistently tidy and well-kept.
- A dedicated irrigation technician was assigned to this client due to the extra-large lawn and widespread landscape elements.
- Plant, turf, and tree health checks happen during maintenance visits to ensure visitors are seeing vibrant greenery and bloom cycles.
- Special attention is paid to the most popular foot traffic areas so replacement plants can be installed quickly when necessary.
- Using some of our most experienced team members for this maintenance crew helps with the pressure of managing such a large-scale property.
- Our scheduling specialist tracks all upcoming events and any event date or time changes, allowing pivots to maintenance timing.
- Yellowstone Landscape’s employee safety programs include training to avoid heat exhaustion.
- The safety training also prepares our employees for using landscaping equipment on a property with a constant flow of vehicle traffic.
- Soil quality checks are done before each planting cycle to overcome sometimes clay-packed or rocky soil.
Resident Reviews
“Definitely suggest the patio area to see the fountain show.”
“Nice place for spending time with family in the evening.”
“A refreshing oasis in the midst of an urban area.”
Aspirational Endeavor
What better way to keep a city’s residents happy and engaged than to create numerous outdoor areas everyone loves? City leaders are accomplishing a few different things with this innovative property. For starters, they can show residents where tax dollars are going. After all, residents are seeing it in-person and taking part in it.
Next, city officials are helping keep money “corralled” in the local economy. By having premier amenities and events right in their “own backyard,” residents don’t have to drive an hour away to spend money at a private theme park. That option’s still available, but they aren’t under pressure to fight traffic and spend extra money to do so.
Can any municipality create a property in this mold? We think so. And it’s a worthy aspiration. A key part of the success is having an experienced landscaping provider to keep such a unique and large property looking pristine. It’s vital to have a provider that values long-lasting partnerships, too. Consistent maintenance using proven systems year after year is a must for top-notch aesthetics and functionality.
Yellowstone Landscape serves a wide range of commercial properties, from national accounts to public infrastructure to luxury resorts. That expertise, along with a dedication to long-term partnerships, helps our company maintain this property’s status as an unparalleled destination.
If you have an innovative vision for your commercial property, we’d like to hear about it. Contact us today for a consultation.
