The first impression of a town is often gleaned through its landscape, and that includes roadway median design.
Medians separate opposite lanes of traffic, but experts say with the right design, they can be so much more – serving to impress or detract visitors.
Susan Hall knows this well. As a Florida Registered Landscape Architect, and owner of Susan Hall Landscape Architecture, Inc. in Merritt Island, she also serves as the landscape architect for the town of Indialantic. She graduated from Purdue University with a degree in landscape architecture in 1984.
In addition to Indialantic, she also works with the cities of Cocoa Beach, Palm Bay, West Melbourne and Viera.
“The landscape of median design is a valuable tool in creating a first impression for a city or town,” Hall said. “It speaks to community pride and appreciation for the area the residents call home.”
For Indialantic, Fifth Avenue serves as the town’s gateway, and plans are currently underway to replace the current median landscape with more welcoming scenery – you might call it a median makeover.
According to the Project for Public Spaces, a nonprofit group that advocates for stronger communities through design, “the best streets in the world do not look or feel like any other street; they have an identity of their own and unique features.”
Last year, the town of Indialantic hired Hall’s firm to design roadway landscape plans for the Fifth Avenue medians. Hall said that driver and pedestrian safety and visibility is of utmost importance, followed by clearance requirements from underground utilities, overhead wires and light poles.
She began the process last fall, by taking part in a public workshop and meetings with the town’s Environmental Advisory Task Force, and the Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee.
Jennifer McGill is the committee chairperson.
“The current state of our median is one where upkeep is difficult to maintain, and deterioration has been prevalent for some time now,” McGill said. “As an entryway to our community we would like to present our residents and visitors with a gallery of plantings that guide those passing by towards our beautiful beaches and local businesses.”
In January, the city council approved a design plan that was sent to the FDOT along with a landscape grant application request. After the grant is approved, final plans for FDOT permitting will be organized and landscape construction will begin.
Hall said FDOT guidelines are stringent – but not without good reason.
“Our roadways and highways are busy. Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists all need the safest situations possible to avoid accidents,” Hall said.
“The FDOT design guidelines, which includes plant materials and hardscape, are followed for everyone’s health, safety and welfare.”
When selecting landscape, Hall said important goals to achieve include low maintenance cost, high plant material performance and long-term durability. Other goals include slowing traffic and creating an attractive sense of place for residents and visitors.
After much discussion, the plants currently being considered are Medjool Date Palms, Flax Lily plants, Stokes Dwarf and Blue Pacific Juniper to provide ground cover.
McGill said the town intends to supplement any expense FDOT does not cover from grant applications through the town manager and fundraising from events such as the Witch Way 5K. They also plan to transplant any existing vegetation in the median that can be reused to various other parks.
“Creating a strong sense of place improves our everyday experiences and adds significant value to our quality of life,” Hall said. “Landscapes play a critical role in shaping a positive experience of place. Imagine New York without Central Park, or Boston without Boston Commons. Both were designed by landscape architects.”