LP Using Funding To Beautify Roadways

LAKE PLACID - If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then Lake Placid is becoming an attention grabber.

With $1.3 million of guaranteed state and federal grants slated for beautification and landscaping projects, the Caladium Capital of the world is poised to become greener.

The projects will complement local private and business donors who banded together in 1987 to form the Keep Lake Placid Beautiful Committee.

About $300,000 of federal funding, funneled through the Florida Department of Transportation, will pay for the extension of roadway median improvements on U.S. 27.

New curbs, gutters, sod, irrigation, the creation of mounds and addition of native trees and plants will stretch from downtown north to the underpass.

Mike Eisnehart, of Keep Lake Placid Beautiful, said bids will go out on Jan. 10, with a projected start date for construction this summer.

As part of an additional project, cabbage palms and oak hammock clusters, along with palmetto, fire bush and cord grass, will fill the right of way along U.S. 27.

The $300,000 Florida Highway Beautification Grant-sponsored project might start as soon as this spring, said Eisenhart.

Bert Harris III, town attorney and president of Keep Lake Placid Beautiful, helped design several key landscaping improvements and favors the use of native plantings rather than invasives.

Over time, native plantings use less water, which is important during droughts or when there are water restrictions, said Harris.

Construction for the largest of three upcoming projects likely won't start for more than a year, said Harris.

More than $700,000 in Florida Department of Transportation funding, as a federal pass through, will help pay for improvements to DeVane Circle. Lighting, landscaping and gazebo renovations are planned.

Although individually smaller in scope than the three upcoming projects, the combination of about 80 "islands" placed throughout the downtown by Keep Lake Placid Beautiful drastically changed the image of Lake Placid.

Fifty-two "island beds" on Interlake Boulevard, 12 on Main Ave. and 10 on U.S. 27, plus several other islands, are individually paid for by private and business donors.

The annual cost to maintain a downtown bed is $300 and $1,000 for one on U.S. 27.

The program started when islands took root on Interlake Blvd. in front of South Florida Community College after Carolyn Phypers, Keep Lake Placid Beautiful vice president, spray painted spots to mark beds in the roadways.

The joint venture between the town, committee, board and the chamber of commerce was a success and beautified the gateway to the town. Harris enjoys the recent improvements made to Interlake Boulevard and said the cottage palms draw visitors to the business district.

"It makes you want to see what's on the other side of the hill," said Harris.

Each island is packed with "lush, full colors," said Eisenhart. "They're all different, but we maintain a certain look," said Eisenhart. "Because of visibility, we use a lot of dwarf (species) and two or three types of plant on each island."

The chamber favors a friendly downtown, which facilitates a healthier business environment.

"We hear all of the time from visitors and residents about the cleanliness and beauty of our downtown," said Eileen May, CEO/president of the Greater Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce.

Dennis Griffin, of Lake Placid Christian School, controls an island in front of the school on Interlake Boulevard.

He enjoys his island's azaleas since they keep blossoms almost year-round.

"My parents taught me to give back to the community for the things the community gave to me," said Griffin. "We show the students different ways to give back. It's better to give than to receive."

Hector Hernandez, of Lake Country Jewelers, supports an island on Interlake Boulevard which was established in memory of son, Joe Hernandez.

"We did it to remind us - although we didn't need reminding," said Hernandez. "We wanted to give a little life to our town for people to enjoy."